SFFRFM targets better input access with one-stop centres across the country

* Designed to support smallholder farmers’ access to inputs by providing a variety of farming essentials under one roof

* Currently we have 55 retail shops across Malawi, and our aim is to ensure that we have agro-farm inputs in all these shops throughout the year

By Pempho Nkhoma, Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) has disclosed plans to roll out a one-stop centre initiative aimed at improving access to agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers across the country, by stocking all essential farm inputs in one place.

SFFRFM Director of Commercial Services, Ali Chioko said this in Blantyre on Thursday at Chichiri Trade Fair Ground in Blantyre on Thursday where the SFFRFM is participating in the 22nd National Agriculture Fair.

He stated that one-stop centres have been designed to support smallholder farmers’ access to inputs by providing a variety of farming essentials under one roof.

“Currently we have 55 retail shops across Malawi, and our aim is to ensure that we have agro-farm inputs in all these shops throughout the year,” he said in an interview with MANA.

Chioko added that the centres will be stocking a wide range of products including various types of fertilizers, agrochemicals, herbicides, maize and vegetable seeds.

“Through the one-stop centre initiative, our retail shops across the country will be fully stocked with various agro-farm inputs throughout the year.

“We also stock agro implements such as hoes, pangas and irrigation equipment,” he said, adding that in preparedness for El Niño conditions, timely availability of inputs remains critical.

SFFRFM is thus finalising procurement of imported fertilizer expected in their shops by the end of September as locally sourced inputs are already available.

“To subvert the effects of El Niño, our advice to farmers is that they should ensure that they plant early-maturing varieties,” he said.

A smallholder farmer from Chinamwali in Zomba district, Stephen Chinyamula, welcomed the development describing it as convenient and cost efficient.

“Most of the times farmers in rural areas struggle to buy farm inputs due to distance. This will help us save time as we will be buying many things at one place,” he said.

SFFRFM strives to create a sustainable system that supports farmers through access to quality inputs, thereby securing their livelihoods and promoting food security across the nation.

Meanwhile, when opening the 22nd National Agriculture Fair, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Development, Roza Fatch Mbilizi, called on players in the agriculture sector to embrace modern innovations, value addition and stronger market linkages to transform Malawi’s agriculture sector and increase farmers’ income to support MW2063 national vision.

This year’s edition is being held under the theme; ‘Transforming Agriculture through Innovation, Value Addition and Market Linkages’ and Mbilizi stated that the agricultural fairs provide an important platform for showcasing Malawi’s agricultural potential while creating opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, investors, financial institutions, and development partners to build partnerships.

“This year, we are taking this further with focusing on producing more, but also creating greater value from what we produce,” she said.

She cited the Malawi Food Systems Resilience Programme, supported by the World Bank, which is supporting producer organisations, farmer-managed enterprises and anchor farmers through productive alliances and matching grants.

“425 producer organisations and 41 farmer-managed enterprises have so far received grants to acquire productivity-enhancing assets, including farm machinery and value-addition facilities.”

She assured of government’s commitment in bringing stronger connections among producers, aggregators, processors, buyers, exporters and financial institutions and enhancing agricultural value chains and competitive market.

“Government is promoting improved agricultural technologies, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, aquaculture and other innovations aimed at strengthening resilience and accelerating commercialisation,” she said.

Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) president Ronald Ngwira, also called for increased adoption of improved agricultural technologies, mechanisation, and modern processing systems.

“Malawi must move away from viewing agriculture merely as a source of food and livelihoods and instead transform it into a productive, commercial and technology-driven sector capable of creating jobs, supplying industries and generating foreign exchange,” he said.

Ngwira urged the private sector to lead the transformation of agriculture, while government focus should be on creating an enabling business environment and implementing business reforms.

This year’s fair attracted 77 exhibitors who occupied 139 booths, including input suppliers, agro-processors, farmer organisations, service providers, research institutions and livestock businesses among others.—Additional reporting by Tarcizio Mondwe, MANA; editing by Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express