The awareness for farmers to diversify continues as Malawi’s main cash crops have been underperforming while markets for neglected crops are being discovered. Agricos advised farmers in Thyolo embrace new farming techniques and diversify if they are to reap massive profits.

Agricos Operations and Projects Director, Justin Kaliwo specifically pointed out to the farmers to consider horticulture for sustainability, food security and self-employment. Recently,  the International Food Policy Research Institute (Ifpri) published a policy brief titled Malawi’s Challenging Employment Landscape: Any Signs of Structural Transformation, in which Malawi has been advised to diversify her agricultural output.

Kaliwo said, apart from training farmers, the organisation was working towards connecting them to stable markets. Agricos is working with farmers across the country. “We have a network of farmers and the idea is to be consistent in supply and grow the country’s economy. At the moment, farmers are growing water melons which we used to import. It is time to diversify,” Kaliwo said.