2008/09 NATIONAL STAKEHOLDER REVIEW MEETING ON ULIMI WA M’NDANDANDA AND FIELD DAYS 5 TH JUNE 09, CAPITAL HOTEL

THEME ENHANCING PARTNERSHIPS IN THE AGRICULTURE SECTOR ULIMI WA M’NDANDANDA.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE PRESENTATION OUTLINE Introduction Progress on implementation –Farmer organization –Resource mobilization –Achievements Challenges and way forward Conclusion

1.O INTRODUCTION Agricultural development agenda is the core business of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Primary goal is to ensure the country is food, nutrition and income secure Used innovative strategies to achieve mandate – clusters and ulimi wa Mndandanda.

DESCRIPTION OF FARMING CLUSTERS AND ULIMI WA M’NDANDANDA Farming Clusters A collection of farmers who are committed to work together as on one farm to follow recommended and innovative technologies to improve crop, livestock and fisheries production. Ulimi wa M’ndandanda A stretch of well managed agricultural enterprises of not less than a kilometer as starting point, by farming clusters.

Implementation Progress a) Farmer Organisation Village is the entry point; planning and organising base Commitment by Local Leadership very crucial Farmers sensitization and mobilisation Formation of cluster and Mndandanda committees

b) Resource Mobilisation 1.Manure Making and use –campaigns at various levels 2.Farm inputs – fertilizer and seeds –Cash purchase – individuals and group –Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme –Loans –Donations

DONATIONS Maize seeds - Monsanto, Seedco and Pannar Seed. Herbicides - Monsanto Fertilizers – Optichem and Smallholder Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi Distributed to ADDs with clear guidelines for accountability

c) MONITORING Backstopping teams formed at all levels Used checklist to guide the process Multidiscipline joint field visits were conducted to all ADDs Officers at headquarters were assigned to specific ADDs

d) ACHIEVEMENTS d) ACHIEVEMENTS ADDFarming ClustersUlimi wa M’ndandanda TargetAchievedTargetAchieved Shire Valley Blantyre Machinga Lilongwe Salima Kasungu Mzuzu Karonga In 2008/09 a total of 4141 Clusters and 587 belts were implemented

ACHIEVEMENTS

FIELD DAYS Conducted in all ADDs and some research stations To showcase achievements and sharing More than 14 field days Attended by a cross section of stakeholders Lead Farmers articulated processes and technologies being promoted in the fields

PS Agriculture addressing a group of farmers during one of the field days

ULIMI WA M’NDANDANDA DEMONSTRATION PLOTS

ACHIEVEMENTS (CONT’D) –Increased adoption of appropriate technologies –Timely implementation of recommended cultural practices –Improved crop stand –Increased yields –Improved farmer organization and cohesiveness –Increased number of Lead Farmers of all gender categories

2.3 The Features of Farming Clusters for Ulimi wa Mndandanda) Village as the entry point; planning and organizing base Farmers organized according to commodity interest groups Harmonized and integrated technology packaging by SMS Demonstrations mounted strategically Action plan facilitates operation as one farm

Farmers have a vision -to produce beyond food security and formation of cooperatives Farmers encouraged to harness the human, social, natural, physical and financial resources into sustainable rural livelihoods. Farmers take ownership of activities and make informed decision Desire sustainable development efforts

Greenbelt Initiative and the Farming Clusters for Ulimi wa Mndandanda Ulimi wa Mndandanda is part of the master plan for the Greenbelt Initiative The Greenbelt is planned to develop large scale irrigation infrastructure to use existing water bodies such as the lake. Promote smallholder farmers through contract farming, out grower schemes through intensified irrigation farming. Partnerships with greater sense of social responsibility

CHALLENGES Incomplete packaging of technologies Inadequate knowledge and skills in farm business skills Inadequate knowledge and skill in proper processing and utilisation of farm produce

CHALLENGES (CONT’D) Inadequate support for resource poor farmers Inadequate demonstrations Inadequate visibility for the Ulimi wa mndandanda.

IMPLEMENTATION AREAS OF IMPROVEMENTS Intensify integration of livestock, fisheries, horticultural crops and management of Natural Resources Intensify food processing and utilization for value addition and better nutrition Integrate Farmer business schools to attain successful and sustainable cooperatives Mainstream gender, HIV and AIDS interventions, Intensify visibility and communication strategies Develop harmonized framework for field operations

CONCLUSION Ulimi wa Mndandanda – effective strategy for farmer empowerment Donor support under ADP-SP Builds capacity for collective action Improve technology packaging and adoption Hence Increased productivity and production

CONSERVATION FARMING IN ONE OF THE ULIMI WA M’NDANDA

Ulimi wa M’ndanda in Nkhotakota

END OF PRESENTATION THANKS FOR YOUR ATTENTION