Despite their hard work, many smallholder farmers in northern Malawi struggle to achieve stable yields. There is a lack of knowledge on ecological farming practices, limited opportunities for processing, and few functioning markets. Young people in particular see little future in agriculture. At the same time, the demand for healthy, locally produced food is increasing.
Biovision and its partners aim to establish local markets for agroecologically produced food. The project supports farmers and youth groups in not only producing their crops in an environmentally friendly way, but also processing and selling them locally. This is expected to increase incomes, improve food security, and reduce the migration of young people from rural areas.
Project name:
Soil, Food and Healthy Communities SFCHC
Slow Food Malawi
Biodiversity Conservation Initiative BCI
Project budget in CHF :
This project is supported by SDC
In the first project phase, key structures were established. Partner organisations trained farmers in agroecological practices and created initial links between production, processing, and markets. Collaboration between SFHC, Slow Food Malawi and BCI has proven effective. First local markets were strengthened and awareness for healthy nutrition was raised.
From 2026 to 2028, the project will expand and deepen its activities. Around 400 farmers will be supported in transitioning to agroecological production. Youth groups will receive targeted entrepreneurship training and start their own small businesses.
Four community-managed processing centres will be set up to turn harvest surpluses into shelf-stable products. Food festivals, public campaigns, and local markets will raise awareness among consumers about the benefits of locally produced, ecological food.
In the long term, ten functioning markets will directly connect producers and consumers.
