Hope Field Initiative (HFI), an agricultural programme founded by Apostle Clifford Kawinga, has opened an Agricultural Produce Market in Mchinji, where its founder also announced a K25 billion investment plan aimed at expanding irrigation farming across Malawi.
Speaking during the launch, Kawinga said the initiative will invest K5 billion every year over the next five years to support about 1.5 million smallholder farmers through irrigation farming, market access and agricultural inputs.
He said the programme is intended to help farmers increase production, earn better incomes and contribute to the country’s food security.
“We want farmers to have both the means to produce and a reliable market for their harvest. That is how communities can become economically independent,” said Kawinga.
The market began operations with the purchase of 1,300 bags of maize from Chisomo Farmers Clubs 1 to 10 at K50,000 per bag, amounting to K65 million.
The farmers also received solar-powered irrigation systems to enable year-round production.
Chisomo Farmers Club patron Nathan Washington Dlamini said the initiative has already changed the lives of many farmers by guaranteeing a market for their maize and encouraging them to increase production.
Traditional Authority Mkanda and Boma EPA Agriculture Extension Coordinator Thandie Kamanga Sathula said the project is expected to attract more farmers into irrigation farming as communities witness the benefits being realised by the first 10 farmer clubs under the initiative.
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