Agriculture in Malawi

NCG reviews and appraises National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) in Malawi

Following an open competition by Norad, NCG won the combined End Review of the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi (NASFAM) Phase III (2007-2011), and appraisal of NASFAM Strategic Development (SDP III, 2011-2016) - Improved Rural Livelihoods through Smallholder Innovation and Productivity.

Norway has supported NASFAM since 2000, so SDP III is the fourth phase of Norwegian support. The purpose of the combined review and appraisal is to inform Norway's decision regarding future support to NASFAM. This is to be done through an assessment of NASFAM's performance and the role of the support provided by Norway.  Lessons learned shall inform the appraisal of the request for support from Norway.

NASFAM is the largest independent, smallholder-owned membership organization in Malawi, and operates in several district in the country (see map above).  It is founded on the principles of collective action and is democratically governed by its members. NASFAM is organised into a unique extension network to support its membership. The smallest operational unit is the Club, made up of 10-20 individual farmers. Clubs combine to form Action Groups, which in turn combine to form Associations. Currently NASFAM has about 108,000 members organised in 43 associations.

NASFAM comprises three entities: NASFAM Corporate (registered as NASDEC), responsible for overall governance of the NASFAM system; NASFAM Commercial (registered as NASCOMEX, as a Company Limited by Guarantee), responsible for commercial activities; NASFAM Development (registered as NASCENT, as a Trust and an NGO), responsible for social and community development.

Tore Laugerud, NCG Norway, is the Team Leader of the assignment with Svein Jørgensen as the QA. Two national consultants from Bunda College of Agriculture are part of the team.