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A new $3.6 million agricultural initiative aimed at transforming Malawi’s soybean and groundnut value chains was officially launched in Lilongwe on Tuesday.
The project, called the Malawi Agricultural Cluster Initiative (MACI), is being implemented by Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) Malawi with funding from the Royal Norwegian Embassy.
The four-year initiative, which began rolling out in January 2025 and runs through December 2028, targets Lilongwe and Kasungu districts, two districts where agricultural productivity has long been hindered by systemic challenges such as poor coordination, low yields, and limited access to markets.
Speaking during the launch, AGRA Malawi Country Director Dr. Eluphy Nyirenda said the project marks a strategic shift from isolated interventions to integrated, locally driven solutions.
According to Nyirenda, the initiative will bring together smallholder farmers, SMEs, civil society, processors, off-takers, and public sector stakeholders to form cohesive, district-level clusters focused on soybean and groundnut development.
“In Malawi, one of the biggest barriers to agricultural transformation has been the fragmentation of efforts across the value chain. We have farmers saying there are no markets, and off-takers complaining there’s not enough supply.
“MACI is about closing that gap. It’s about aligning everyone, government, private sector, NGOs, and farmers, so they speak the same language and work toward common goals. We are targeting 60,000 farmers and hope to double current productivity levels from under 0.8 to at least 2 metric tonnes per hectare, like in Tanzania or Egypt,” said Nyirenda.
The project also takes a systems approach to solving production challenges, including the lack of access to certified seeds, outdated agronomic practices, and inefficient post-harvest handling.
With a focus on policy reform and capacity building at the district level, MACI aims to set the foundation for longer-term agricultural resilience.
Kenneth Chaula, Deputy Director of Agricultural Extension Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, underscored the initiative’s alignment with Malawi 2063, the country’s long-term development strategy.
He said MACI complements the government’s push for agricultural commercialization and value addition under Pillar 1 of the national agenda.
“What makes MACI timely and critical is its focus on bringing everyone to the same table. This is not just a project about increasing production, it’s a deliberate effort to create a structured environment where farmers are supported to produce quality commodities, and where off-takers and processors are connected to consistent, aggregated supply. By formalizing those relationships and improving coordination, we’re giving farmers a better shot at profitability and reinvestment,” he said.
Coordination has long been a missing link in Malawi’s agriculture value chains.
While other donor-supported programs have focused on inputs or market access in isolation, MACI is the first to attempt a full-spectrum response, addressing both supply and demand while fixing structural disconnects between actors.
The Royal Norwegian Embassy, MACI’s primary funder, emphasized that the project reflects a new model of partnership, one that prioritizes inclusivity, sustainability, and systemic impact.
Norwegian Head of Cooperation, Siri Frette Allisted said their commitment goes beyond financial support to championing MACI as a policy and learning platform.
“We’ve seen many interventions come and go, but MACI stands out for its focus on system change and long-term value creation. This isn’t just about increasing production. It’s about building climate-smart, inclusive market systems where farmers not only grow more but earn more.
“We’re particularly proud that the project is placing women and youth at the center of transformation, not just as participants but as entrepreneurs and leaders. The lessons we draw from MACI will influence how we support agriculture across the region,” she said.
Looking ahead, AGRA Malawi says it plans to scale MACI to other districts if the pilot proves successful.
The project is already being positioned to complement other Norwegian-funded programs such as the Strengthening Sustainable Livelihoods through Resilient Business (SSLRB) and the Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project.
