admin | May 9, 2024
News Brief
Just a few kilometres outside of Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, greenhouses stand out amidst newly-planted maize fields. The Kambuku Cooperatives are using these facilities to pioneer innovative agricultural techniques and to address climate change and gender-based inequalities that affect women farmers. The 98 members near Lilongwe, most of whom are women, have cultivated tomatoes, green peppers, leafy vegetables, and strawberries, earning nearly $8,000 US in three years. In collaboration with UN Women and local businesses, the co-operatives also emphasize training in climate-resilient farming and boosting women's roles in agriculture.
Just a few kilometres outside of Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, greenhouses stand out amidst newly-planted maize fields. The Kambuku Cooperatives are using these facilities to pioneer innovative agricultural techniques and to address climate change and gender-based inequalities that affect women farmers.
Since 2020, the Lilongwe site’s 98 members—71 of whom are women—have successfully cultivated tomatoes, green peppers, leafy vegetables, and strawberries, earning over 14 million Malawi kwacha ($7,930 US) by late 2023. The funds helped build a warehouse and purchase additional water pumps, strengthening the co-operative’s infrastructure.
In early 2024, the co-operatives secured a year-long contract worth 500,000 Malawi kwacha ($283 US) to supply leafy vegetables monthly to local schools. Additionally, UN Women collaborated with Thanthwe Farms, a local woman-owned business, to provide training for workers in climate-resilient agriculture and integrate women into decision-making roles.
In Malawi, women account for 70% of full-time farmers and are responsible for producing over 80% of the country’s subsistence crops. However, farmers have traditionally relied on inconsistent natural rainfall, a practice increasingly unreliable due to climate-induced dry spells, heavy rains, pests, and disease outbreaks.
Letty Chiwara is a representative of UN Women Malawi. She says: “Climate change and food and nutrition insecurity have posed the greatest development challenges of our times. Only greater investments in sustainable food systems will ensure food security for all.”
UN Women established three project sites in Lilongwe, Salima, and Mzimba, featuring 10 solar-powered greenhouses with a $400,000 budget provided by the Korea International Cooperation Agency. The greenhouses function as demonstration sites for research students from the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Ruth Kampatura, treasurer of the Kambuku Cooperatives, says her son, inspired by the greenhouses, plans to expand the business after finishing his studies.
Building on their success, the co-operatives received a government grant of 34 million Malawi kwacha ($19,260 US) to expand their operations, including new crop varieties and hiring additional staff.
Esnart Kalunga is an agriculture extension officer in Lilongwe East. She says: “Investing in women farmers who are the backbone of our agriculture sector is key to ending poverty. We need to sustain and build this momentum of supporting women to excel in farming activities so that together we can truly empower women farmers to be resilient.”
This story is adapted from an article published by UN Women called “Women farmers in Malawi tackle climate change and gender inequalities through greenhouse programme” To read the full story, go to: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news-stories/feature-story/2024/02/women-farmers-in-malawi-tackle-climate-change-and-gender-inequalities-through-greenhouse-programme
Ruth Kampatura (left) and Prose Mgundamavu are seen harvesting tomatoes in the Kambuku greenhouses in Lilongwe, Malawi. Photo: UN Women Malawi