Smallholder farmers from Mponela in Dowa District have gained access to new markets and improved their livelihoods through a two-year climate resilient agriculture initiative supported by Oxfam in Malawi.
The Improving Communities’ Livelihoods Resilience for Healthy Lives, commonly known as FAI project, supported farmers to participate in the 2026 National Agriculture Fair in Blantyre, providing them with an opportunity to connect with new markets.
Oxfam in Malawi senior project officer Chimwemwe Chilenga said the initiative was complementing health interventions by strengthening the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
“While our partners treat and manage health issues, we focus on empowering the beneficiaries to have food security,” she said.
Chilenga said the project was equipping farmers with techniques to withstand climate shocks and expand their income opportunities.
“We are promoting production through the provision of solar pumps and local seeds to grow crops,” she said.
One of the beneficiaries, Maria Nkhoma, said the combination of technical training, irrigation support and market access improved their livelihoods.
“We have benefitted because they encouraged us, strengthened us, inspired us, trained us and gave us seed which has given us a huge harvest,” she said.
The FAI Project is jointly implemented by Oxfam in Malawi and Circle for Integrated Community Development with financial support from Foundation Assistance Internationale.
Launched in 2025 and running through 2027, the project targets 1 200 households in Dowa.
