AGRA is also investing in building stronger value chains around soy and groundnuts

Malawi stands at a turning point in its agricultural history, with the potential to double its export revenues in the next decade by moving away from its longstanding dependence on tobacco

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) is championing this transformation by focusing on alternative crops such as soybeans, groundnuts, and horticulture.

Following a recent visit, Jonathan Said, AGRA’s Vice President and Head of its Centre of Technical Expertise, told Nyasa Times that Malawi has "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" to restructure its agriculture sector. The shift could help the country reduce its reliance on tobacco and tea for foreign exchange, while opening up significant opportunities in other crops.

“Soybeans and groundnuts have the potential to be larger than tobacco in terms of forex earnings and to create youth work opportunities on a large scale,” Said explained. “If Malawi can coordinate across government, private sector and farmer groups, export revenue could double in the next 5-10 years.”

AGRA is already working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and private sector stakeholders to advance research, strengthen regulations—including the Seed Law—and support the Mega Farms initiative, which has the potential to reshape both food security and export capacity.

Crucially, AGRA is also investing in building stronger value chains around soy and groundnuts. These chains aim to connect farmers with agro-processors producing high-demand products like soy milk, peanut butter, cooking oil, baby food, animal feed, and even industrial emulsifiers.

“These value chains are critical not just for export earnings, but also for nutrition, soil health, women’s empowerment and climate adaptation,” Said noted.

AGRA’s broader strategy is structured around three key areas: mega farms of 20–100 hectares serving as hubs for smallholder outgrowers; anchor firms that connect farmers to financial institutions and consumer markets; and seed system reforms to ensure availability of high-yielding, drought-tolerant varieties.

“You cannot have commercialisation and agro-industrialisation without anchor firms,” Said emphasised. “And you cannot build competitive value chains without fixing seed supply.”

AGRA is also targeting Malawi’s youth. Through initiatives like YEFFA (funded by the Mastercard Foundation) and the Malawi Agricultural Cluster Initiative (backed by Norway), thousands of young people are being mobilised, trained, and connected to land, finance, and agribusiness opportunities.

Said, who served as an economic advisor in Malawi’s Ministry of Industry and Trade from 2011 to 2014, stressed the importance of national leadership in steering this transformation.

“The presidency has the power to align actors and keep focus on solving bottlenecks in extension, seeds, digitalisation, mechanisation and finance,” he said. “We’ve seen glimpses of this through the President’s Delivery Unit and the National Planning Commission, but it needs to be accelerated.”

Despite challenges like climate change and global market uncertainty, Said remains optimistic.

“Malawi has all the ingredients. With leadership, focus and coordination, agriculture can finally become the engine of inclusive growth that Malawians have long been waiting for.”

Soil rehabilitation is also a priority to ensure sustainable productivity in the long term

Verna Sinimbo, Namibia’s Kavango West Governor, has commended the Sikondo Green Scheme for its innovative approach to agriculture and dedication to enhancing productivity

Her remarks came during a familiarisation visit to the scheme on Wednesday, where she was given an insightful overview of the operations by farm manager Maxwell Nghidinwa.

Nghidinwa highlighted the scheme's strategic pivot towards high-value crop production, particularly potatoes, which have recently yielded a bumper harvest ready for market. "The scheme is leveraging its strategic position both physically and economically to grow its market presence and diversify its agricultural portfolio," Nghidinwa explained. He also shared plans for future diversification, including expanding into fruit tree production, with a focus on oranges and avocados. These efforts are aimed at not only serving the domestic market but also tapping into export opportunities.

Another significant development is the plan to establish a cattle feedlot, which will complement the current agricultural operations. This addition is expected to create further economic opportunities for the region. During her visit, Sinimbo, Governor was shown around the farm and took note of the variety of crops being cultivated, such as potatoes, wheat, cabbage, and onions. The scheme also sells fresh produce at discounted prices directly to residents, ensuring affordable access to local produce while maintaining a steady market.

However, the scheme is not without its challenges. Nghidinwa pointed out high electricity costs, which could be significantly reduced through the construction of a solar plant. Additionally, there is a need for updated irrigation systems and further equipment to fully utilise the available land. Soil rehabilitation is also a priority to ensure sustainable productivity in the long term.

Sinimbo expressed her admiration for the dedication shown by the management and workers of the Sikondo Green Scheme. "Such projects are vital contributors to our region's development," she said, emphasising the project’s importance in boosting food security, fostering economic growth, and generating employment opportunities for the region.

The Governor pledged her support in advocating for the necessary infrastructure and resources needed to help Sikondo Green Scheme reach its full potential. She reaffirmed the scheme's role as a key player in Namibia’s agricultural sector, one that could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country.

FAO is promoting low-cost, sustainable land and water management practices

In Malawi, the rising costs of agricultural inputs, particularly inorganic fertilizers, are hindering the productivity of smallholder farmers, thus impacting food security

Due to land degradation, many farmers who cannot afford these fertilizers are left with meagre harvests, often barely enough to feed their households.

In response to this challenge, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), with funding from the Government of Flanders, has launched the Land Use Planning and Sustainable Land and Water Management for Improved Agricultural Productivity project. As part of this initiative, the FAO is promoting low-cost, sustainable land and water management practices, such as the production of organo-mineral fertilizers like Mbeya. Mbeya is a locally made organic fertiliser, produced from readily available raw materials, with a small quantity of inorganic fertilizer included.

Maganizo Lukhere, a farmer from Mzimba district, is one of the beneficiaries of this initiative. He shared how his family’s agricultural productivity has improved since adopting Mbeya fertilizer. "Four years ago, we used to harvest 10 to 13 fifty-kilogram bags of maize from a one-acre piece of land. The maize was never enough to sustain our family of eight until the next harvest. Since we started making and using Mbeya fertilizer, we harvest about 40 fifty-kilogram bags of maize on the same piece of land," said Maganizo.

In addition to using Mbeya, Maganizo has expanded his farming operations by obtaining a wetland area where he grows maize year-round under irrigation, utilising residual moisture. His adoption of Mbeya fertilizer and other low-cost soil and water management techniques has brought significant improvements. "We are about to harvest this year’s crop, but we still have maize left over from last year’s harvest. In our household, lean months are a thing of the past. We have eliminated hunger," he added.

Mbeya fertilizer is easy and affordable to produce, making it accessible to many farmers in the community. To make one 50kg bag of Mbeya, the ingredients needed are 21 kg of maize bran, 10kg of pig dung, 10kg of inorganic fertilizers, 10kg of ash, and 5 litres of water. Notably, one 50kg bag of mineral fertilizer can produce five 50 kg bags of Mbeya fertilizer.

Maganizo also practices other low-cost techniques promoted by the FAO, such as mulching, zero tillage, planting vetiver grass around maize fields, and constructing swales for water harvesting. These methods help preserve soil moisture, prevent erosion, and improve soil quality.

Harvey Nyirongo, agriculture extension officer for the Chasato section in Mzimba, explained that many smallholder farmers face financial constraints and carefully consider the costs of adopting new technologies. "A lot of smallholder farmers are resource-poor, and the cost of technology is one of the factors they consider before adoption," he said. "Now that more farmers are making and using Mbeya fertilizer, the community is more food secure."

They are empowering smallholder farmers and facilitating greater financial inclusion

The Federal Government has recognised the role of Moniepoint Inc in transforming Nigeria's agricultural sector, particularly in enhancing the resilience of the agricultural value chain in the Northeast

The fintech company was lauded for its innovative digital payment solutions that are empowering smallholder farmers and facilitating greater financial inclusion.

The commendation came from Tope Fasua, the special adviser to the president on economic affairs, during the screening of a documentary titled “Inside Nigeria’s Food Chain” in Abuja. Fasua expressed his enthusiasm about the documentary, noting how it highlighted the crucial role of digital financial services in promoting economic inclusion in rural communities. “I am happy and thrilled at the many things that this documentary and case study captures. It’s an eye-opener for people to see all of the operations going on,” he said. He further acknowledged how Moniepoint is reshaping market dynamics by fostering digital payments in areas that have traditionally been distant from technology adoption.

Fasua also praised the resilience of local farmers, particularly in areas like Borno State, where despite ongoing security challenges, farmers continue to thrive. “We can see the resilience that our people have demonstrated in churning out grains, livestock, and agricultural products,” he remarked. He concluded by emphasising the importance of digital payments in advancing financial inclusion. “It is delightful to watch the confidence that the people have in digital payments, and Moniepoint has done a fantastic job in deepening adoption across the country,” he added.

The case study also showcased the strength of Nigeria’s informal, trust-based networks that underpin the food chain. These networks, built on generational knowledge and social capital, have proved to be more adaptable in times of crisis compared to formal institutions.

Edidiong Uwemakpan, vice-president of Corporate Affairs at Moniepoint, explained the purpose behind the documentary. She said, “In view of the amounts that we process monthly as a business, we sought to peel back the layers on the naira and kobo and uncover the stories behind the transactions and what they mean for Nigeria.” Uwemakpan also explained how Moniepoint’s success lies in tailoring its services to meet the lifestyle and trading habits of Nigerians.

She highlighted that Borno State, often portrayed negatively due to security concerns, actually has a diverse agricultural base that significantly contributes to feeding millions of Nigerians. “This documentary does not only focus on showcasing Moniepoint’s role in supporting food distribution, but it also reveals the state’s agricultural diversity,” she said.

Tolu Ogunlesi, communications expert also praised the project, noting its importance in highlighting both food security and the resilience of the people. “Watching the documentary, a lot of the towns mentioned became famous not for food but as Boko Haram affected regions. This project allows us to truly appreciate these areas for what they really contribute to the country’s socio-economic development,” Ogunlesi said.