SAPP Interventions Boost Agricultural Productivity in Malawi

The Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP) is making a significant impact in Malawi’s agriculture sector, with farmers benefiting from innovative farming technologies, irrigation, and livestock interventions.

During a tour of SAPP II sites in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of Agriculture Benedict Chambo praised the program’s role in driving agricultural productivity and commercialization—key pillars of the MW2063 agenda. He noted that farmers under SAPP I have accumulated wealth through livestock pass-on programs and advanced farming techniques.

At Chitedze Research Station, Chambo visited a Mega Demo farm, where scientists are researching soil fertility, crop production, herbal pesticides, and livestock feed. He urged Malawians to embrace local innovations instead of relying on foreign technologies, emphasizing that homegrown solutions can enhance food security.

Despite SAPP’s success, the Deputy Minister acknowledged gaps in the sector, particularly the shortage of Agricultural Extension Development Officers (AEDOs), who are essential for delivering farming knowledge at the grassroots level.

SAPP National Coordinator Rex Baluwa highlighted that SAPP II, running from 2024 to 2030 in Lilongwe, Dowa, Mzimba, and Balaka, aims to enhance food security and wealth creation among rural farmers. The program, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is expected to further transform Malawi’s agricultural landscape.