This programme will concentrate on enhancing agricultural productivity and improving rural food security through simple, affordable technologies, which will help smallholder farmers bridge the wide gap between actual and possible food-crop yields in Malawi.

The programme will target:

• smallholder farmers who could potentially achieve household food security but have difficulty producing a surplus for market
• small-scale commercial farmers, who are influential in farmers’ groups and can facilitate early adoption of good agricultural practices
• the poorest rural households, which have few assets and rely mainly on low-paid seasonal labour for income.

About 200,000 households will participate directly, receiving technical and financial support to increase crop yields, including basic inputs such as seed and fertilizer.

A research component of the programme aims to further refine and adapt agricultural techniques to conditions in Malawi. To raise awareness and understanding of these practices, the programme will also make enhanced agricultural extension services accessible to households in the target groups.