This is what we do
We support agriculture in Malawi by providing farmers with training, resources, and access to tools that foster prosperity
Agriculture
Empowering farmers across Malawi
We are dedicated to sustainably supporting our community through farming skill development programs that support women and farmers to help them build a better life for their families.
Farmers provided access to farming loans annually
Number of people trained in Agroecology
Empowering Farmers
We are dedicated to sustainably supporting our community through farming skill development programs that support farmers to help them build better lives for them and their families.
Over 80% of the population of Malawi is rural and Malawi’s economy is largely agrarian. More importantly, many of the people in our operation areas are subsistence farmers. They farm to survive and only sell what little they have left. The importance of farming and agriculture in Malawi cannot be overstated. Orant’s goal is to empower farmers with the skills and knowledge necessary to improve their livelihoods, breaking the cycle of poverty and setting them on the course towards financial independence.
Agriculture Programs
The Orant Farm and Farm Clubs
The 33-acre Orant Farm is located behind our campus in Kasese. 20 acres of the farm is planted by the Mwayiwathu Farm Club. This collection of farming families works together to go through intensive agricultural, business, and cooperative training. We work with local farmers to improve their skill set so that they can eventually make a profit and no longer live hand-to-mouth. The remaining land is planted by Orant's Agriculture Program to provide extra food during the lean season.
Agriculture Programs
Orant Agroecology Demonstration Plot
In 2023 Orant created our first 100% organic, local garden right next to our Healthcare Centre and offices. The Agroecology Demonstration Plot helps us show farmers and the community at large the firsthand economic and ecological returns of organic and permaculture-style farming. The produce is either given to the women at our Maternity Ward or are sold at the local market.
Agriculture Programs
Irrigation Clubs
Orant sponsors 7 irrigation clubs in our Kasese operations area. These clubs are supplied with the skills and supplies necessary to plant and harvest multiple crops per year, helping them develop prosperity and wealth.
The goal of the Irrigation Club Program is to teach local farmers the best farming practices, offer them loans, and assist them in planting and harvesting multiple crops per year through irrigation methods. Orant loans fertilizer and seed to farmers interest-free three times a year before they plant and consults them through the entire process each time. Orant has supplied all of the clubs with portable solar-powered pumps that help the clubs plant more crops for larger harvests and profits.
Agriculture Programs
Malawian Agricultural Productivity and Commercialization
Malawi’s economic growth will come from investments and development in the Agricultural sector. Orant invests in various farmers cooperatives to expand agricultural productivity and commercialization, a key pillar in the Malawi Vision 2063.
Orant partners with Bowe Mission Farmer’s Association (BOMFA) to empower farmers by assisting them with planting, aggregation, and marketing of their crops. The majority of BOMFA’s farmers are women and youth who are in need of an income and are dedicated to maximizing their efficiency. Orant supplies loans each farming season to BOMFA so that they can loan seeds and fertilizer to over 900 farmers in the cooperative. BOMFA ensures that the entire crop is sold in a timely and efficient manner, meaning a stable income for the farmers.
Agriculture Programs
Kasese Farmers Cooperative
The Kasese farmers cooperative was established as a direct outcome of the first cohort of graduates from the Mwayiwathu farm club, an initiative aimed at equipping farmers with modern agricultural knowledge and skills. After successfully completing the farm club training for a 3 year period, the graduating farmers recognized the need to work together to enhance their productivity, market access and financial stability. With a shared vision of improving their livelihoods, they came together to establish the cooperative, ensuring that they could leverage collective bargaining power for better access to agricultural resources and support services.
One of the key benefits of Kasese farmers cooperative is its access to farm input loans provided by OCA. Through this partnership, cooperative members are able to obtain loans for the purchase of farm inputs such as quality seeds, fertilizers and pesticides which allows them to expand their farming operations without immediate financial strain. This support system does not only enhance productivity but also strengthens the cooperatives ability to sustain long-term agricultural growth.
Read More about Our Agriculture Projects
Read recent news and updates about our Agriculture and irrigation projects on the Orant Journal!
Orant Agroecology Farm: What We’re Harvesting
Our Agroecology Farm is more than just a place to grow crops, it is a classroom to learn more about sustainable, regenerative agriculture as well as gain farming skills. See…
The Unyielding Struggle of a Malawian Rural Farmer
As the backbone of Malawi's economy, agriculture accounts for approximately 30% of the country's Gross Domestic Product. It is the primary source of livelihood for many rural Malawians, who solely…
Transforming Lives with Mwayiwathu Farming Club
We are happy to announce the graduation of our Mwayiwathu Farming Club. This group has experienced so much transformation over the past 3 years we have worked with them and…
Orant Charities
Our Programs
Learn more about the other programs we offer for the people of Malawi.
