Each year, the Foundation’s Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI) will hold an Agricultural Transformation Summit in Malawi to discuss efforts to develop and diversify Malawi’s tobacco-dominated economy, leading to a reduction in traditional reliance on the tobacco sector. The Summit will convene key private and public sector actors engaged in developing alternative livelihoods and commercially viable agricultural value chains in Malawi. The intent is to catalyze new partnerships and initiatives that will support smallholder farmers in diversifying crop production and in improving economic opportunity, thus leading to sustainable change.
Our next Summit will be held in Lilongwe at the end of 2019. Details will be published on this site as soon as they are available.
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Malawi Country Director Candida Nakhumwa, Tobacco Association of Malawi (TAMA) CEO Felix Thole, National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) CEO Betty Chinyamunyamu, Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) CEO Prince Kapondamgaga, and Fraym Senior Data Analyst Melia Ungson
On December 4-5, 2018, we met with over 150 delegates from across the public and private sectors and held an engaging discussion to help chart an action-oriented way forward to assist in the transformation of Malawi’s agricultural landscape. Key stakeholders from the farming sector, including smallholder farmers and tobacco leaf companies; the private sector; the government; banks; investment advisors; universities; and many more, focused on exciting in-country diversification efforts.
To learn more about the conference, you can review the following resources:
We also announced the following initiatives:
Gift & Martha Lowole, tobacco farmers who are trying to diversify to other livelihoods, interacting with Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) President Derek Yach
Bisan Habu, Keynote speaker Ani Bassey-Eyo, MC Femi Oke, and Eveline Sibindi Van Dam
Director of Agriculture and Economic Diversification Programs Rob Henning, Youth Pitch Competition winner Ngabaghila Chatata and her husband, and Vice President of Agriculture and Livelihoods Jim Lutzweiler
Participants enjoy happy hour after the conference
Vice President of Agriculture and Livelihoods Jim Lutzweiler, Controller of Agriculture Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Alexander Bulirani, FSFW President Derek Yach, Malawi Country Director Candida Nakhumwa, and Chairman of the Malawi Planning Commission Richard Mkandawire
Participants at the Summit prepare for a panel discussion.
Stellenbosch University Distinguished Professor Linus Opara, National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) CEO Betty Chinyamunyamu, and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa’s Abdulrazak Ibrahim
Without alternatives provided, smoking rates in #SouthAfrica remain stubbornly high compared to other regions. Hear more about the #StateOfSmoking and the struggles of smokers here: http://bit.ly/2BROMqS
Tomorrow we kick off the second annual #ATISummit2019 where thought leaders from international delegations, local government and private & farming sectors will convene as part of the ATI’s commitment to economic diversification in #Malawi. To learn more: http://bit.ly/2OamVYm
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