By Kondwani Magombo

Lilongwe, June 03, Mana: At least 44 extension staff from 4 Sustainable Agriculture Production Program (SAPP II) implementing districts of Mzimba, Dowa, Lilongwe and Balaka, are undergoing a five-day Farmer Field School (FFS) training in Mponela, Dowa, to help farmers explore technologies that can improve animal and crop production.

The training which opened on Monday and is expected to run up to Friday, has been organized by the Department of Agriculture Extension Services (DAES) with funds from SAPP II.

Speaking in an interview after the official opening, DAES Deputy Director, Kenneth Chaula described the training as crucial to the extension workers as it will allow them to establish FFSs with the farmers in their respective localities and districts.

“As frontline workers, the extension staff are the most critical link in the agriculture sector as they interface with farmers on the ground, and also interpret policy, hence the need for them to be trained,” explained Chaula.

He defined FFS as one of the approaches used in the ministry where the teacher is the enterprise being pursued, either crop, or livestock, and that the training is built around the life cycle of that particular enterprise, observing and noting lessons along the way.

Chaula challenged the extension workers to establish the “much needed FFS” to allow their farmers to test released technologies based on locality and needs within the district where SAPP is being implemented.

“As a country, we would want to increase productivity of all enterprises that are very critical to bring about food security and economic prosperity, as enshrined in MW2063 Agenda, Pillar 1,” said Chaula.

He continued: “Pillar 1 of the MW2063 aims to increase agricultural productivity and commercialization; this is where we want smallholder and commercial farmers to adopt and implement new technologies to increase yields for income.”

Lead facilitator of the training, Adam Kabango, said the one-week training is the first in a series of 3 similar trainings spread across the season, during which the extension staff are expected to establish and manage the FFSs in their respective localities and districts, and report progress in subsequent trainings.

“FFS are schools without walls; they are learning fields where farmers go to test and analyse farming systems and technologies to establish which ones are ideal for either crops, or livestock,” explained Kabango, who is also Principal Agriculture Officer responsible for extension methods, and he is, also, national farmer field school trainer in Malawi.

One of the extension workers, Grace Dayo, from Malingunde EPA, commended DAES for the training, saying the changes brought by climate change call for new technologies that need to be transferred to the farmers.

Dayo said the establishment FFS will help break resistance among farmers who believe old farming systems are still applicable and better than those released now.

“The challenge that we face with farmers is mindset change: they are, mostly, used to old ways of farming, despite the changes brought by climate change,” explained Dayo.

She added: “So, with the FFS, we will explore the technologies and draw the lessons together. That way, it’ll be easy for them to change their mindset.”

There are 660 FFSs across the country, but there are less such establishments in the SAPP II implementing districts and, according to the DAES Deputy Director, the Department is targeting establishment of 180 FFSs in the 4 SAPP II districts in the next 7 years.

By Petro Mkandawire

Blantyre, June 3, Mana: Cancer Survivors Quest (CSQ) will on 10^th to 13^th June conduct Cancer awareness campaign at Chikuli in Blantyre aimed at engaging traditional leaders and communities on cancer screening and prevention.

Executive Director for Cancer Survivors Quest, Chikhulupiliro Ng’ombe told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the ultimate goal of the campaign is to reduce the incidence and impact of cancer, improving outcomes and quality of life for those affected, and encourage regular screenings and check-ups to detect cancer at an early stage.

“We want to inform people about different types of cancer, their causes, symptoms and risk factors. Regular Cancer screening is a crucial step in early detection and treatment. As a country we have to invest in promotion of healthy lifestyle and habits that reduce the risk of developing cancer,” said Ng’ombe.   

According to Ng’ombe, the campaign will target Chileka, after noting that the area is terribly hot which results in exposure to radiation from the sun.

“We are selling 13 cancer awareness key holders at K10, 000 each to raise funds for this activity in order to reach our targeted budget of K130, 000. At the end of the campaign, we will have cancer training for those that may volunteer to join our support group,” he said.

Blessings Pasala from Chikuli commended the organization for organizing the campaign in his community as public health is crucial in one’s health.

“By prioritizing cancer screening, individuals can take proactive steps towards their health and well-being. I am happy that CSQ is hosting the campaign in our area which will reduce discrimination among other factors,” said Pasala.

He added that prevention of cancer is possible but the general population is not informed and empowered.

Pasala hoped that after the campaign, the population will know and be able to adopt best measures of cancer prevention.

By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, June 3, Mana: Project Coordinator for Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Caswel Kachingwe has said Likoma District is going to benefit from a nutrition focused project which the organization will implement with funding from the European Union (EU).

Kachingwe said this on Monday during a District Executive Committee (DEC) and District Nutrition Coordinating Committee (DNCC) meeting aimed at introducing the project called ‘Nourishing Futures: Empowering Malawi’s CSOs for Sustainable Nutrition.’

“The goal of the project is to strengthen the capacity of local civil society organizations (CSOs) and their networks to advocate for increased demand for food fortification and ensure availability,” said Kachingwe.

He said after a successful implementation of the project, FUM expects a reduction in the number of malnourished and stunted children through enhancing uptake of micronutrients.

Director of Administration and Human Resources for Likoma, Moses Jere said the council welcomed the project, adding it will ensure DNCC work hand in hand with the partners to ensure its sustainability.

“As a council we have the DNCC which is responsible for nutritional issues, so our eyes will be on it. The committee works with partners and report to the district commissioner so that we properly track the progress of the project,” said Jere.

Chairperson for CSO Network in Likoma, Davy Kacholola said the network will be working in partnership with the council and the implementing partners to ensure people in the district benefit from the project.

FUM is going to collaborate with its partner, We Effect, in implementing the project which will run from January 2025 to December 2029.

By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, June 2, Mana: Deputy Director in the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ketie Mwandira has challenged the youths in Kasungu District to be innovative so that they meaningfully contribute towards achieving the country’s development targets.

Speaking on Monday, during the dissemination of the National Youth Policy to the district stakeholders and youth clubs, Mwandira said the youths have great potential towards the realization of national aspirations such as the Malawi 2063.

“We want to make sure that the youths and district stakeholders are aware of the National Youth Policy so that there is compliance when implementing youth-related development programmes.

“We are saying there is nothing for the youths without them. They must be involved in everything because they are key drivers of the national development,” Mwandira said.

She said the policy, which was officially launched in 2023 and runs until 2028, provides clear direction for successful designing and implementation of youth development programmes in line with Sustainable Development Goals and the Malawi 2063.

“So, we want to see youths that are empowered to contribute to socio-economic development and engaged in policy and programme development, implementation and decision-making processes at all levels.

“Additionally, we want to see increased demand and response to youth needs and improved access to equitable and quality youth services as some of the policy outcomes,” she said.

Kasungu District Coordinator for Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace, Hastings Kalima, called for seriousness amongst stakeholders to ensure that the policy is successfully implemented.

“We should not be known for coming up with good policies and then fail to implement them. It’s a collective responsibility that we have to see to it that the policy is successfully implemented,” he said.

On his part, Francis Zimba of Comfort Youth Club advised his fellow youths to form groups so that they easily access opportunities such as loans, skills and equipment.

The National Youth Policy aims to empower the youths so that they are able to deal with social-cultural, economic and political challenges by creating an enabling environment for them to achieve sustainable personal and national development.

By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, June 3, Mana: Civil Society Organization (CSO) Network in Chitipa District on Monday warned Meru Filling Station and Simama Sugar distributor against selling fuel and sugar, respectively, to vendors who are smuggling the products to Tanzania and Zambia amidst scarcity of the same in the district.

Chitipa CSO Network Chairperson, Patrick Ziba gave the warning after visiting Meru Filling Station and Chitipa Simama Sugar depot to assess the situation on the ground.

Ziba said the CSOs undertook the exercise to appreciate what was happening on the ground for the district to have fuel and sugar scarcity while neighbouring countries have Malawi sugar.

"We visited Meru Filling Station and Chitipa Simama Sugar distributors so that we can have a friendly chat on the scarcity of fuel and sugar amidst availability of these commodities in our neighbouring countries.

“We appealed to these companies to sell to registered Malawian businesses. We are losing a lot of revenue because for example sugar is smuggled to Tanzania and Zambia without getting Value Added Tax (VAT) and other revenues," Ziba said.

Meru Filling Station Manager, Elita Kaseghe thanked the CSOs for visiting their place, saying the scarcity of fuel is because it takes weeks before it is allocated to the Station.

“We do not sell fuel to be smuggled outside the country. When people come with Jerry cans we seek permission from Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA). But if they are maize mill owners we allow 20 litres of diesel after submitting a business licence,” Kaseghe said.

On her part, Sales and Marketing Manager for Simama Sugar, Beatrice Haonga applauded CSOs for visiting the depot and appreciating how sugar distribution is done.

Haonga said as a sugar distributor, they sell their sugar to registered wholesalers who then sell to retailers.

“We even have plans this month to open outlets at Kapoka, Nthalire and Ifumbo so that business people from those sites have sugar at their doorstep,” Haonga said.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, June 3, Mana: Communities in Nsanje have hailed government for introducing digital payment in social Cash Transfer (SCT) in the district.

Charles Theka, Chairperson for Chilumba Social Cash Transfer Cluster said in an interview on Monday that communities were excited because the initiative was convenient.

“This transition to digital payment will allow recipients to receive their payments securely and conveniently, directly to their mobile phones,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Tobias Thenford from Mphamba Village praised the initiative saying it will help to reduce challenges related to time and cost beneficiaries incur when travelling to payment points.

“The shift to mobile payment will help us not to walk long distances to access payment points,” he said.

Another beneficiary, Chrissy Maseya from Jim Village, Traditional Authority (TA) N’gabu said he was relieved from the fear of being attacked by thugs as now the money will be in her wallet without the knowledge of other people including thugs.

“We had to go through the village forest which poses a great risk to the money we receive because mostly people are attacked by criminals.

“During payment, I could go with someone just to feel secure when walking back home after receiving cash from the payment point,” she added.

Falls Msambalima from Chiudzireni Village, TA N’gabu expressed hope that the introduction of social cash electronic transfer will help beneficiaries to receive cash every month unlike in the past where they could stay for months without receiving cash.

Social Welfare Officer Responsible for Social Cash Transfer for Nsanje, Abdulrazak Duwa confirmed that beneficiaries started receiving cash through mobile wallet and this will help to cut operation cost.

“The cost to pay beneficiaries will be reduced and communities will be able to get their money at once unlike the manual payment whereby we could spend so many days making payments,” he said.

Duwa said the initiative will also promote mobile money business opportunities for local people in the district.

Social cash transfer is a social protection program targeting ultra-poor and labour constrained household whereby beneficiaries receive cash with no strings attached to meet their needs.

Nsanje has more than 7000 beneficiaries under the program.