Telephone : (+265)01773170 Malawi Forum for Agricultural

Fax : (+265)01773168 Advisory Services

C/O P.O. Box 30081
Lilongwe 3

MALAWI FORUM
FOR AGRICULTURAL
ADVISORY SERVICES
VALUE
PROPOSITION

December, 2020
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 2
2. The Contribution of MaFAAS in the agricultural sector ...................................................................... 3
2.1. Networking ................................................................................................................................... 3
2.2. Harmonization of agricultural messages ....................................................................................... 5
2.3. Agricultural Messages Quality Assurance .................................................................................... 5
2.4. Lobbying and advocating for the farmer needs............................................................................. 5
2.5. MaFAAS gives farmers an opportunity to emphasize on their importance to the country ........... 7
2.6. Branding agricultural extension as a profession ........................................................................... 8
2.7. Advisory Service Providers Capacity Building ............................................................................ 9
3. MaFAAS SWOT Analysis .................................................................................................................... 9
4. CONCLUSION ................................................................................................................................... 10

1
 1. Introduction
Malawi is among many developing African countries, whose economy depends on
agriculture. Statistics indicate that the majority of Malawi’s population live in the rural areas and
this amounts to 85% (Kumwenda, n.d.), and the rural population in Malawi is basically
characterized by smallholder farming and poverty. There are still high rates of poverty in Malawi
of which statistics indicate that half the population of Malawi live below the poverty line which
is 1.25USD. Except Africa where Malawi is located, all the regions in the world that are still
developing managed to achieve the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) of reducing poverty
by 50% in 25 years from 1990 to 2015 (United Nations, 2015). Regarding that the majority of
smallholder farmers in Africa and Malawi specifically are poor and bank their livelihoods totally
on agriculture (IFAD, 2011), an analysis by Ahmed & Mesfin (2018) through different studies
indicates that efforts to improve the agricultural sector’s effectiveness is argued to be a good way
to go in as far as eradication of poverty is concerned.
One way of improving the agricultural sector’s effectiveness is through Agricultural
Extension and Advisory Services, (AEAS). As farmers get updated on the modern ways of
farming, they tend to adjust and use practices that match with the changing environment and
hence improve their production. Agricultural extension in Malawi dates back to 1907 where the
British Colonials established the agricultural sector and introduced some new cultural practices
(Bentaya and Hoffman, 2002). Since then, Government and various organizations have been
using the same model to get the farmers updated either through face to face extension or ICT
Based. Regarding that various organizations provide the Agricultural Extension and Advisory
services, there have been a challenge of coordination which created a possibility of having
conflicting messages delivered to farmers.
To curb the coordination challenge and to improve the agricultural extension efficiency
and effectiveness, Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) was birthed in
2011. Its mission was basically to create harmonization, standardization and add value to
initiatives in agricultural advisory services through sharing of information and increased
professional interaction. The Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) is an
umbrella organization of AEAS providers, actors and stakeholders in Malawi established with a
vision on “agricultural advisory services that efficiently and effectively contribute to sustained
growth and transformation of agriculture”.

2
 Since its establishment,
MaFAAS with support from
African Forum for Agricultural
Advisory Services (AFAAS), The
Government of Malawi (GoM),
IFAD, DFID, MTDF, WORLD
BANK and many others has been
implementing various projects
which have made a lasting impact
in the agricultural extension sector.
Figure 1: MaFAAS Logo Some of the impacts are already
known and experienced in the
agricultural extension sector regarding that MaFAAS has interacted with people and
organizations at different levels. This report aims at analyzing and amplifying the contribution
MaFAAS has made through the implementation of its programs.

2. The Contribution of MaFAAS in the agricultural sector

2.1. Networking
Within a space of nine years, MaFAAS within its jurisdiction has implemented programs
that brought people together, giving them a platform to present what they do and see what other
people are doing so that in their similarities and differences they can connect. One example of a
program which provides a networking platform among many others is Farming and extension
conferences previously known as Extension Week. It is in MaFAAS’s belief that when people
connect with the aim of positively impacting the farming community as well supporting each
other’s growth, much can be achieved in the agricultural sector. There are many organizations
and farmers who operate without knowing that their missing piece can only be complemented by
a particular organization or another group of farmers
It is very important to note that networking is both at farmers and stakeholders level. At
farmer’s level, most farmers who are participating in different initiatives including cooperatives

3
and associations mount their pavilions to display what they do and hence connect with either
their fellow farmers or different organisations/stakeholders. A picture below shows the National
Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi, (NASFAM) Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
visiting one pavilion mounted by farmers. Through this, farmers are able to extend both their
influence and visibility. It is through this where potential donors may show interest in promoting
the prospective farmers.

Figure 2: Farmers and stakeholders interaction during the farming and extension conference

On the other hand, stakeholders are also able to connect within themselves as they
discover the value each organization has towards the other. This makes it possible for
organizations to advertise themselves to each other and hence reduce costs of publicity activities.
In a nutshell, MaFAAS promotes the exchange of information, innovations and human resources
by documenting available technologies and other information, by documenting and
disseminating “best practices in agricultural advisory services, by promoting partnerships and
linkages with other networks, partners and stakeholders, and adding value to ongoing initiatives
in agricultural advisory services. Through this, it has been noted that stakeholder commitment to
MaFAAS is increasing day by day evidenced by increasing participation of stakeholders in
MaFAAS activities and number of voluntary presentations made over the years.

4
 2.2. Harmonization of agricultural messages
As an umbrella body of agricultural extension providers in Malawi, MaFAAS has a
mandate to coordinate and harmonize the agricultural extension messages delivered to farmers.
MaFAAS provides a platform for harmonization and innovation in agricultural advisory services
through presentations and discussions, necessary for promoting pluralism. This is done through
bringing together stakeholders that are responsible for the delivery of agricultural messages.
These stakeholders include the Government, Non-Governmental Organizations, Private Sector,
and Academia, Research Stations as well as the farmers themselves. All the stated stakeholders
are brought together to share the messages and approaches used to deliver the messages.
The aim of the meetings is to have a well-coordinated agricultural extension delivery
which benefits the targeted audience (Farmers). This outcome thereby helps to avoid delivering
conflicting messages to farmers who are targeted beneficiaries of different extension service
providers. Apart from the farmers’ conferences where different stakeholders present their
approaches in extension delivery, MaFAAS also participates in the National Agricultural Content
Development Committee meetings. These are meetings where messages are developed in regards
of creating harmony, standardizing and validating the messages.

2.3. Agricultural Messages Quality Assurance

In relation to what has been said above, MaFAAS ensures that the harmonized messages
are of good quality regarding that the messages delivered to farmers has to produce, MaFAAS is
responsible for ensuring that the agricultural messages delivered to farmers are relevant,
accurate, applicable and time bound. This is achieved through its participation in National
Agricultural Content Development Committee meetings. Through these meetings, there is
validation and vetting of messages which is done through agricultural content review. Different
stakeholders who are key in agricultural extension delivery participate.

2.4. Lobbying and advocating for the farmer needs

MaFAAS has been able to raise awareness within the agricultural sector and bringing to
the attention of policy makers about issues concerning agricultural extension. Among other
activities, this is achieved through meeting the parliamentary committees for a policy dialogue. It
is seen that MaFAAS influence policies and programs related to agricultural advisory services by
documenting such policies in Malawi as well as documenting and sharing best practices and

5
lessons learned. During Farming and Extension Conferences, farmers are also given a platform
to share their experiences stating the success stories and challenges in agricultural extension.
Through these discussions, recommendations are drawn identifying the responsible organization
for each recommendation. After the conference, MaFAAS send letters to the responsible
organizations indicating the needs of farmers and the specific area the particular organization can
fill. The recommendations are directed to all the key players involved in the value chain process.
It is MaFAAS’s duty to identify, encourage and support operational research in agricultural
advisory services by pro-actively identifying issues likely to affect agricultural advisory services
and develop strategies or mobilize capacity to deal with them.
Below is an illustration of the discussions facilitated by MaFAAs on key issues
experienced by farmers and their recommendations. This was mapped out during the 2018-2019
Farmers Conference
Table: 1 Key issues in the agricultural sector
KEY ISSUES DISCUSSIONS RECOMMENDATIONS

ACCESS TO Land Bill was passed in parliament without Land bill should be shared with the general public
LAND proper consultation/strategy. (There was a so that everyone should understand it. Government
big gap between land policy makers and should review agricultural policies related to land to
implementers).. boost the farming industry in Malawi

ACCESS TO Contract farming in tobacco production is Companies should provide loans to farmers at a
MARKETS not benefiting farmers small interest.

Cooperatives are not fully functioning Cooperatives should be given enough and proper
training to meet the standards of international
markets

VALUE Implementation of standards from Malawi Ministry of Trade should train farmers on value
ADDITION AND Bureau of Standards (MBS) is difficult for addition and processing
PROCESSING farmers
Review some marketing policy in order to promote
Most products are imported i.e. milk, products made by Malawians
tomato sauce without protection of
Malawian producers

6
 As a follow up, MaFAAS conducts both physical and virtual meetings with the
responsible organizations to raise the key issues expressed by the farmers themselves. Letters are
sent to different organizations to initiate a discussion on such. This shows how MaFAAS acts as
the voice to the voiceless. In instances where farmers are not heard on their own, MaFAAS takes
part to lobby specified organizations on the needs of farmers.

2.5. MaFAAS gives farmers an opportunity to emphasize on their importance

to the country
Not only do the farmers express their needs, they also emphasize their importance to the
country. No matter how invisible famers maybe on the ground, they are the reason why the
country is food sufficient. Markets around the country are filled with small but diverse produce
from the farmers. As such they need to be recognized and involved in everything concerning
them. During the Agricultural Conferences and other meetings organized by MaFAAS, farmers
are given an opportunity to present what they do and how that is important to Malawi.
This is a rare opportunity for farmers to meet potential investors, policy makers, donors
and buyers who can advance their farming to the next level as such their display their relevance
as much as possible. This organizes farmers to make demands and raise issues in agriculture
thereby actualizing the demand driven extension policy. Understanding that all the farmers in
Malawi may not be able to participate, only representatives from different districts attend the
meetings. Below is a photo showing placards developed by the farmers displaying their
relevance to the farming community.

Figure 3: Farmers expressing themselves during the farming and extension conference

7
 2.6. Branding agricultural extension as a profession
In Malawi farming is portrayed as a way of living for the poor, uneducated and old
people. This is evidenced by the way agricultural billboards and posters portray a typical farmer.
It doesn’t matter if someone is an agricultural cooperative member or involved in any form of
agricultural activity, as far as the person is related with agriculture as a rural farmer; the media
portrays him/her as someone with rugs, in dirty clothes with a hoe in his or her hand. As such
many people especially youth are not interested to venture into agriculture and anything related
to it. With the setting of Malawi, People don’t recognize agricultural extension as a profession
and hence prefers to venture into industry. MaFAAS within its mandate introduced college
chapters to basically inspire young girls and boys to see agricultural extension as something that
will give them excitement. Various people who have made an impact in the agricultural sector
are invited to provide motivational talks to the students. This helps the students to see
agricultural extension in a different angle and hence look forward to take part in the sector.
MaFAAS also provides an opportunity for the students to know and connect with the reputable
people in the agricultural sector.

College Chapters
A college chapter is an affiliate of the MaFAAS established for the purposes of
promoting agricultural advisory services within the college or university, but operating under the
guiding principles of MaFAAS. Thus, the main function of a college chapter is to help
operationalize the MaFAAS functions within its jurisdiction, as well as uphold professional
standards. The college chapters have the following specific functions
 To facilitate networking among agricultural advisory services’ students as well as with
both new and experienced professionals in this area.
 To foster a dialogue about the current state of agricultural advisory services in Malawi.
 To share pride as agricultural advisory services students.
 To inform the specific college of the accomplishments and service of its graduates,
current students and faculty
 To welcome new alumni into the College Chapter
 To influence women and men to select programmes related to agricultural advisory
services for their undergraduate education

8
  To provide a mechanism for involvement and leadership development and continuity
within the College Chapter area.
 To encourage participation and support of the College Chapter through mentoring,
providing internships, becoming an Alumnae/i Fellow along with other service initiatives

All these functions zero in branding agricultural extension as an admirable profession which will
not only positively impact the students but also the farming community.

2.7. Advisory Service Providers Capacity Building

MaFAAS recognizes that, for the agricultural extension delivery to be effective and
efficient there is a need for building the capacity of those delivering the messages. A message
can be of very good quality but if the one delivering ithas no capacity, its effectiveness and
efficiency might be affected in one way or the other. As such MaFAAS improves the capacity of
agricultural advisory services partners and members by promoting capacity building in all
aspects agricultural advisory services, enhancing professional growth of the agricultural advisory
service providers and providing further training in agricultural advisory services for members. In
this regard, MaFAAS also partners with other organizations in regards to agricultural extension
delivery. It is indeed seen that MaFAAS has made tangible initiatives to facilitate the agricultural
extension delivery in Malawi.

3. MaFAAS SWOT Analysis

Table 2: SWOT Analysis
Strengths Weaknesses
a) Holding conferences every year which are well a) Does not have permanent employees to work as
attended by stakeholders secretariat
b) Recognized by the Malawi government and b) Does not have stable source of funding
registered as a trust c) Not very active in tasks
c) Affiliated to a continental body, the African d) Its recommendations are not always
Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services implemented by government and other
(AFAAS) stakeholders
d) Affiliated to a global body, the Global Forum e) Limited visibility in the extension sector
for Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS) f) Does not have its secretariat with its own staff
e) Committed members make voluntary
contributions as Secretariat, Board, Executive

9
 Committee and Organizing Committees
f) Fills a gap in extension service coordination,
standardization and professionalization in
Malawi

Opportunities Threats
a) Membership fee can be collected to beef up a) There are other bodies which are being created
funding such as National Stakeholder Panel,
b) Calls for funding are sometimes available Professional Association of Extensionists
which can be utilized for resource mobilization whose roles and interaction with MaFAAS has
c) Pluralism in extension Malawi is not been clarified
institutionalized hence the needs for b) Conflicting messages in extension
coordination will remain making relevance of c) Extension work not being given key priority
MaFAAS to continue d) Belief that everyone can do extension
e) Limited linkages between research and
extension

4. CONCLUSION
As an umbrella body of agricultural extension providers in Malawi, MaFAAS has made strides
in enhancing that agriculture extension is delivered effectively and efficiently. It is very
important to state that, all the achievements stated above couldn’t have been accomplished if
MaFAAS was working individually. All the key organizations in the agricultural extension
delivery supported and keep on supporting MaFAAS in one way or the other. Despite a number
of challenges MaFAAS experiences and many things that needs to be improved, the success
stories out numbers them all.

10