A strong partnership to support agriculture in Malawi
With agriculture being a source of income for more than 85% of the Malawian population, it has been a key sub-sector World University Service of Canada (WUSC) focuses on. Prince Kapondamgaga, Chief Executive Officer for Farmers Union of Malawi, WUSC’s partner for 13 years, reflects on how Uniterra Program jointly led by WUSC and the International Centre for Studies and Cooperation (CECI) is helping small farmers in Malawi.
Kapondamgaga commends Uniterra for building the capacity of farmers’ associations because many farmers are not educated enough to think critically. Uniterra volunteers have helped small farmers in improving agricultural practices and organisational capacity so they can actively participate in the value chain.
“I strongly believe that WUSC is a very strategic partner especially in exchanging lessons and technical assistance that comes in to support institutions— not to make them dependent but to support their independence,” Kapondamgaga said.
Under the Uniterra 3 program, WUSC is working with farmers in the tea sector to improve farm productivity and conditions for workers. Kapondamgaga hopes that the experience working in the dairy sector will facilitate the work with tea growers.
“The best way to help institutions is not to give them finances, but to help them develop a long-term plan of where they want to be in five years and support that process,” said Kapondamgaga.
