EAM asks Chitipa NGOs to utilise local structures
Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM) has urged non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Chitipa to continue using structures Climate-Smart and Economic Empowerment Project established in the district.
EAM district coordinator Simon Zuze said this on Tuesday during an exit meeting of their project which was funded by the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid.
He said his organisation trained the structures well such that it will be easy to work with them to sustain the project’s gains.
Said Zuze: “Maintaining the same cooperatives and other community groups will help to minimise time and other resources that can be required during the formulation of new structures.
“The project sought to contribute towards poverty reduction through interventions to mitigate the impact of climate change. Several households are now able to generate income through agricultural value chain.”
He said the project targeted to reach 3 400 beneficiaries in Chitipa, but reached 35 537 beneficiaries, representing 104 percent.
“We provided smallholder farmers with groundnuts and soya bean seeds and trained them on how to grow and multiply those seeds for more benefits,” said Zuze.
He said under the project, farmers bought vegetable oil expeller, peanut butter making machine, groundnut flour miller and product sealer used for packaging.
Chitipa district director of administration Clement Gonthi thanked EAM for empowering farmers in Wenya and Nthalire with value addition skills.
“The project has promoted economic value addition in various groups and has established four cooperatives, namely Sekwa, Chalayala, Domwe and Kayilizi,” he said.
The four-year project started in 2021 up to 2023 and was implemented by EAM and Sprodeta will implement it in 2024.
The project was implemented in traditional authorities Mwenewenya, Nthalire and Wavikhaza in the district.
