Update: Mwayiwathu Farmers Club Making Strides
Update: Mwayiwathu Farmers Club Making Strides
After 3 years of farming with Orant, the first cohort of Mwayiwathu farmers club graduated from the program, and took a significant step by registering a cooperative, a bold move that ensured that their dreams and aspirations remained alive and thriving.
Why is the Cooperative important?
The cooperative formed by our Mwayiwathu farmers is a game-changer for several reasons. By working together, the farmers are able to achieve economies of scale, share resources, and support one another in ways that would be impossible for individual farmers.
Increased Bargaining Power in the Market
When farmers work together, they gain greater bargaining power in the market. This means they can negotiate better prices for their produce, secure more favorable contracts with buyers and have access to new and more lucrative markets, a thing which can not be achieved by individuals on their own. By pooling their resources and working together, our farmers are able to command a better price for their produce, increasing their incomes and improving their livelihoods.
Improved Access to Credit and Financial Services
The cooperative will also provide our farmers with improved access to credit and other financial services. In Malawi, many farmers and entrepreneurs lack access to formal financial services, making it difficult for them to secure loans or other forms of credit. Without access to loans, most people struggle to invest in their farms and other businesses. Thus, by working together, our farmers will be able to access credit and other financial services more easily, enabling them to invest in their farms and improve their economic status.
Enhanced Skills and Knowledge
The cooperative also provides our farmers with opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through training and capacity-building programs. Many farmers lack access to formal training and education, making it difficult for them to adopt new technologies and best practices, hence struggling to improve their productivity and yields. By working as a team, we expect that our farmers will be able to access training and learn from each other, enabling them to improve their skills and knowledge and adopt new technologies and best practices.
As we celebrate the impressive strides made by Mwayiwathu Cohort 1, we are also excited to share that our Mwayiwathu Cohort 2 is making rapid progress. They have successfully grown their first crops this farming season, and we can’t wait to share their stories of success in the coming weeks!
