WFP and partners support farmer organizations in improving physical storage facilities and capacity to manage warehouses, handle food commodities and market produce profitably. This facilitates access to commercial markets while improving efficiency of the market.
WFP will purchase almost 38,000 mt of food commodities from smallholder farmers, small and medium scale traders, and processors. This Kafulu Association farmer organization member showcases a handful of maize at price negotiations.
As member of the Chikwatula farming cooperative, Rosemary Kaphadzale was able to sell her surplus maize to WFP – and to use the proceeds to improve the life of her children. She said, "Here I am, a changed and empowered woman." The Chikwatula Cooperative is one of four Malawian farmers’ organisations that have signed a contract with WFP to supply maize in 2010. Under WFP’s P4P initiative, smallholder farmers like Rosemary Kaphadzale can benefit from the agency’s purchasing power.
Almost 90% of the population live in rural areas and engage in rain‐fed agriculture, hence, are extremely vulnerable to external shocks. However, Malawi has achieved considerable surplus productions for three consecutive years due stakeholder commitment in promoting the agriculture sector, and providing potential for local procurement in Malawi.
A member of the Kafulu farmer organization sorting maize while the committee negotiates the price for the next contract. As of September 2010, the Kafulu Association membership comprises 1,300 farmers (885 males and 415 females), and the cooperative management has 31 committee members, of whom nine are female.
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13 December 2012
Poor Malawi Farmers Receive Cash Through Mobile Phone
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30 November 2012
South Africa Crisis (For The Media)
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23 November 2012
WFP Responds To A Drought In Malawi
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