Malawi

CISP has been operating in Malawi since 1999, promoting interventions focused on food and nutritionalsecurity for rural communities, value chain development, the strengthening of cooperatives and producer organizations, thepromotion of efficient medium- and large-scale irrigation systems, sustainable natural resource management, and capacitybuilding for local communities, authorities, and other key stakeholders. All projects are designed and implemented withenvironmental protection, gender equality, social inclusion, active community participation, and respect for human rights attheir core. Over the years, CISP has worked in 19 of the country’s 28 districts and is currently present with field offices in thedistricts of Karonga, Nkhotakota, Chikwawa, Blantyre, and Mwanza, while maintaining its head offices in the country’s maincities, Lilongwe and Blantyre. 

Approach 

Agricultural Value Chain Development: CISP Malawi boasts a decade of specific experience in the development of the rice value chain in the districts of Karonga and Nkhotakota, areas with high rice production potential but poor processing andmarketing facilities. Over the years, CISP has worked on: 

• Organization and technical support for smallholder rice farmers, including improved and more efficient technology for seed selection, multiplication, production, storage, and processing. 
• Improvement of rice productivity and quality, including through the adoption of innovative techniques (System of Rice Intensification), enabling farmers to negotiate a fair price and save enough money to continue production the followingyear. 
• Strengthening the managerial and marketing capacities of producer organizations and improving market linkages betweencooperatives and the private sector. 
• Support for small-, medium-, and large-scale irrigation up to 150 hectares. 
• Establishment, training, and management of community savings and loan groups, and the activation and management ofrevolving microcredit funds to increase access to credit and tailored social safety nets for small and medium agriculturalenterprises. 

CISP Malawi has ongoing interventions supporting the development of the coffee value chain, assisting sector stakeholders in reviewing and improving agronomic practices, developing integrated production management and monitoring systems, andstrengthening administrative and financial control mechanisms. The organization is contributing to enhancing cooperativeprocessing and value addition capacities, guiding local entities in market access through targeted commercial positioningstrategies and dedicated rebranding initiatives. CISP Malawi follows development and strengthening processes for institutional policies supporting the coffee sector, promoting dialogue among key sector actors and facilitating platforms for discussion and coordination between academia, the private sector, financial institutions, and public stakeholders, aiming to foster a more structured, sustainable, and competitive growth of local coffee farming. 

Natural Resource Management and Disaster Risk Reduction: CISP Malawi collaborates with local communities in safeguarding and efficiently utilizing water and forest resources, with the dual objective of promoting adaptation strategiesto the effects of climate change and strengthening local natural resource management. The organization supports the role oflocal authorities in reforestation activities and the training of community-based civil protection units, also promoting theadoption of targeted legislative acts. CISP’s work also aims to improve the accessibility and sharing of climate andmeteorological data at the community level, to promote the adoption of early warning systems and strategies aimed atreducing disaster risk. Furthermore, CISP is actively involved in the creation, restoration, and upgrading of irrigation systemsfor a conscious and sustainable use of water resources.