agrl_innovations_in_ssa.pdf?utm_content=buffercb41d&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter

this requires strong outcome-focused individuals and networks of policy with entrepreneurial
actors from both public and private sectors. This has been demonstrated in this case study.
Malawi, SSA CP ZMM Pilot Learning Sites, Balaka and Zomba
districts
Problems of food insecurity and
low incomes resulting from low
soil fertility, unreliable rainfall, high
input costs and poor market access
resulted in the establishment of three
IPs, one in Balaka District and two in
Zomba District. These form part of
FARA’s SSA CP PLS in southern Africa,
which includes nine IPs in Malawi,
Mozambique and Zimbabwe. This case
study concerns the three in Malawi.
Each IP brought together a range
of stakeholders including farmers,
researchers, Government and NGO extension, traditional leaders and local policymakers
as well as the private sector involved in input supplies and output marketing at two
levels, (district and community) to consider initiatives that would address local
problems. In Balaka, the lowest rainfall area, priority was given by the IP to addressing
low rainfall by introducing conservation agriculture (CA). In Zomba, one IP addressed
low soil fertility through the introduction of maize–legume rotations and the other
focused on vegetable production for local markets.
Each initiative was reflected in the District Councils’ priorities and plans for development
in the area, fitting the Government’s agricultural sector wide ASWAp. Each IP established
learning sites in five communities focusing on the introduction of new technologies
related to the problem being addressed. Each learning site acted as a focus for
stakeholders to learn, plan and evaluate. As a result improved coordination has grown,
speeding up the process of making research relevant to farmers’ needs. Government’s
input subsidy scheme also played an important role in increasing farmer awareness
on the benefits of using improved varieties and fertiliser. The new technologies were
promoted by a wide range of actors and are being adopted in each community and
district. Agri-dealers are now supplying inputs that farmers need, food security has
improved and crops are being marketed locally.
Benefits include improved food security and local farmer incomes, with better
coordination of development activities. However challenges remain. These include
ensuring the on-going commitment of partners, given their own priorities and time
56 Agricultural Innovation in Sub-Saharan Africa