A major new initiative to improve food security, nutrition, and climate resilience among Malawi’s sugarcane-farming communities in the Shire Valley was recently launched.

The Malawi Zero Hunger – Food Security for Sugar Cane Producers Project (2025–2028) supports over 4,400 Fairtrade-certified sugarcane smallholder farmers by diversifying their food production to strengthen livelihoods and climate resilience, and increase incomes.

Building on successful models developed through Agricane’s partnership with the Phata Sugarcane Outgrowers Cooperative and the Kasinthula Cane Growers Association, the project will expand proven activities that have already delivered clear benefits to farming communities. Phata’s successful Fairtrade-funded aquaculture program will be replicated to increase access to affordable, protein-rich food while creating new income opportunities for households. The project will also strengthen access to safe water and improve sanitation and hygiene by installing new wells in Kasinthula and Lakeshore and upgrading Phata’s existing community water distribution system, including a reverse osmosis plant.

Drawing again on tried and tested governance structures established by Agricane-supported cooperatives, the project will also strengthen cooperative management, increase women’s participation in democratic decision-making, improve access to inputs as well as finance, and expand adult education, ensuring producer organizations continue to serve as resilient, well-managed institutions capable of driving long-term community development.

“As we have seen through the Phata and Kasinthula farmer cooperatives, diversified livelihoods, stronger farmer coordination, and improved infrastructure are essential for building resilience in the flood- and drought-prone Shire Valley,” said Bouke Bijl, COO of Agricane Consulting LTD. “We’re thankful to Fairtrade Italia and AICS for the opportunity to enhance and expand these highly replicable models to wider farming communities.”

Led by Fairtrade Italia in partnership with Fairtrade Africa and Agricane Consulting Limited, the three-year initiative is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS). Working alongside the Kasinthula Cane Growers Association and Phata Sugarcane Outgrowers Cooperative, Agricane is leading the project within Chikwawa, while Fairtrade Africa is coordinating activities with the Lakeshore Cane Growers Association in Nkhotakota.  

By combining international development support with local implementation expertise and strong producer organizations, the initiative will help farming households build more secure and diversified livelihoods while contributing to Malawi’s broader food security goals.

Agricane is grateful for the support of Fairtrade Italia and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), without whom this project would not be possible.

Useful Links:

·      Phata Outgrowers Cooperative

·      Kasinthula Cane Growers Association

·      Malawi Zero Hunger Project (Fairtrade Website)