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Evaluation of the project “Kutukula Ulimi m’Malawi - Promoting farming in Malawi, Revitalising Agriculture Clusters and Ulimi wa Mdandanda through Farmer Field Schools in Malawi”

Project code: GCP/MLW/072/EC

Year of publication 2024

Place of publication Rome, Italy ;

Pages 60 p.

Author FAO

Publisher FAO ;

Product type Booklet

Series title Project Evaluation Series

Series number No. 46/2024

To cite or share https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3301en

Synopsis (short abstract) This report evaluates the "Revitalising Agriculture Clusters and Ulimi wa Mdandanda through Farmer Field Schools in Malawi" project, known as Kulima. It focuses on the capacity-building component led by FAO in collaboration with Malawi's Ministry of Agriculture and Department of Agriculture Extension Services, covering July 2017 to December 2023. The research/agribusiness and community outreach components were managed by GIZ and an NGO consortium. The evaluation involved analysing the project's theory of change, desk reviews, focus group discussions, and interviews. Kulima supports Malawi's agricultural goals, targeting food security, climate change adaptation, agribusiness, value chain development, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Successes include improved dietary diversity, crop yields, and adoption of low-cost, locally sourced foods. However, challenges remain, such as low adoption of labour-intensive technologies and limited access to veterinary services. The Farmer Field Schools (FFS) method has gained official recognition, but water scarcity, late seed delivery, high livestock mortality, gender imbalances, and limited funding threaten sustainability. Recommendations include aligning agricultural technologies with farmers' needs, strengthening value chain development and market access for FFS groups, increasing focus on livestock studies, and ensuring full integration and comprehensive implementation of the FFS methodology within the institutionalized agriculture extension strategies.

Evaluation highlights

Management response

Cite this content as:

FAO. 2024. Evaluation of the project “Kutukula Ulimi m’Malawi - Promoting farming in Malawi, Revitalising Agriculture Clusters and Ulimi wa Mdandanda through Farmer Field Schools in Malawi” - Project code: GCP/MLW/072/EC. Project Evaluation Series, No. 46/2024. Rome.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cd3301en

Language English

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    The project objectives of the KULIMA project were to build capacity, support research and agribusiness, and promote community outreach to improve food security, climate resilience, and agricultural productivity in Malawi. The key partners included among others FAO, Ministry of Agriculture, GIZ, and an NGO consortium led by Self Help Africa. Only the capacity building component implemented by FAO was evaluated, which used Farmer Field Schools (FFS) methodology. The KULIMA project was simultaneously implemented with the Afikepo nutrition programme also funded by the European Union and implemented in the same ten districts through a separate structure.
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    Learn more about the project 'Revitalising agricultural clusters and ulimi wa m’ndandanda through farmer field schools in Malawi'. This project is part of the wider European Union (EU)-funded KULIMA programme, a five year programme that is being implemented between May 2017 and June 2022 with the aim of achieving improved agricultural productivity for food, nutrition and income security. Implementation of the project by FAO and the Government of Malawi contributes specifically to the KULIMA programme objective of promoting sustainable agricultural growth and incomes to enhance food and nutrition security in Malawi within the context of a changing climate.
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