Why Investing in Malawi’s Women Farmers Pays Off

Before the start of the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach Support Project (ASWAP-SP II), agriculture was primarily a means of survival. "Now, it has transformed into a business, and we are in charge," says Esnart Vula, chairperson of the Mpherere Cooperative from central Malawi, her voice filling with pride.

Esnart’s experience exemplifies the impact of ASWAP-SP II, which is being implemented by UN Women in collaboration with the Malawi Government, with financial backing from the World Bank. From 2018 to 2023, this initiative empowered thousands of women smallholder farmers, effectively narrowing the gender productivity gap and transforming agricultural practices in the area.

Founded in 2013, Mpherere Cooperative faced challenges for several years in making a meaningful impact. By 2020, its operations had diminished, and its members- mostly women-were struggling to meet their families' food requirements. However, the situation changed dramatically when UN Women intervened through ASWAP-SP II.

Currently, the cooperative boasts 176 members, 102 of whom are women, paving the way not only food security, and contribution to economic growth but leadership of women in agriculture. Esnart Vula, a 34-year-old mother of three and farmer, leads the group, "UN Women provided us with more than just tools and training; they offered us a vision," she remarks. "They demonstrated that farming could extend beyond mere subsistence; it could serve as a pathway to a brighter future for our families and communities. “she said.

Thanks to the project, the cooperative has gained access to cutting-edge agricultural technologies, gender-sensitive extension services, and essential market connections. They now supply potatoes and vegetables to one of Malawi’s largest hotels and sell legumes to a prominent oil manufacturing company.

UN Women’s initiatives addressed longstanding gender disparities, empowering women to assume leadership roles in agriculture. Esnart’s role as chairperson stands as a powerful testament to this social and economic transformation, the resilience and power of women. The project also fostered gender equality within households through the Household Approach methodology. By training extension officers and facilitating gender dialogue sessions, UN Women promoted collaborative decision-making and planning between men and women. “Now I can contribute on how our household money is spent. Before, my husband said our culture didn’t allow me, as a woman, to have a say” said Gome Levison Banda, a farmer from Mzimba.

The achievements of the Mpherere Cooperative exemplify the extensive and transformative impact of ASWAP-SP II in women’s lives. Between September 2020 and June 2023, UN Women engaged with 117,074 farmers, including 67,694 women, across ten different value chains including maize, soybeans, groundnuts, and livestock. These farmers collectively produced over 2,561 metric tons of crops, resulting in sales amounting to MWK 353,362,281 (USD 207,860). Additionally, UN Women facilitated connections for farmers to formal markets, including those in seed and cooking oil processing. Through training in value addition, packaging, and negotiation skills, the project empowered those women farmers to compete effectively in lucrative markets. ASWAP-SP II has established a benchmark for gender-transformative agricultural development. By tackling both economic and social obstacles, UN Women has demonstrated that investing in the empowerment of women in agriculture transforms lives and accelerates the country’s economic growth.