By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE( Maravipost)
The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), in partnership with the Royal Norwegian Embassy, has launched the $3.6 million Malawi Agriculture Cluster Initiative (MACI), aimed at enhancing coordination, productivity, and resilience in the agricultural sector.
The initiative will begin by focusing on soybean and groundnut value chains.
The MACI was officially launched on March 26 in Lilongwe, where Director of Extension Services, Kenneth Chayula, emphasized the importance of agricultural clusters in driving systemic transformation.
“MACI is a response to persistent challenges in our food systems. It is anchored in the belief that agricultural clusters offer a coordinated pathway to transforming food systems by fostering inclusive commercialization and strengthening smallholder farmers,” Chayula stated.
The pilot clusters are located in Lilongwe and Kasungu and will bring together various market actors to stimulate value chain development and improve farmer resilience.
AGRA Country Director, Eluphy Nyirenda, described MACI as more than just a project.
“It is a catalytic platform designed to drive systemic productivity and resilience. It deliberately builds on existing initiatives, ensuring alignment, synergy, and avoidance of duplication,” Nyirenda explained.
Norwegian Head of Cooperation, Siri Frette Allisted, expressed confidence in the initiative’s potential, highlighting its focus on systemic change and long-term impact.
“MACI is not just another agricultural project. While many past efforts have brought mixed results, MACI stands out due to its deep emphasis on collaboration, systems change, and lasting value for both farmers and markets,” Allisted said.
She added, “As donors, we are committed to ensuring MACI not only achieves its goals but also serves as a model for inclusive, scalable, and sustainable agricultural development.”
The MACI initiative, funded by the Royal Norwegian Embassy and implemented by AGRA, aims to tackle the long-standing issue of fragmentation in Malawi’s agricultural system, laying the groundwork for a more unified and resilient sector.
