LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The United States (US) African Development Foundation (USADF) and the Malawi government have renewed their partnership with a US$7.5 million co-funding commitment for the next five years on agriculture development.

Speaking during a signing Ceremony in Lilongwe on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, USADF President, Travis Adkkins said the commitment involves individual contributions of US$750,000 per year from both USADF and Malawi.

He added that the commitment also extends US$1.5 million a year to promote the development of small-holder agribusiness enterprises, cooperatives, farmers and small and medium-scale enterprises.

“The funding aligns with the country strategy goals of advancing broad scale, sustainable economic growth and enhance the living standards of the marginalized population in the country,” said Atkins.

He further said since 2008 the partnership has collectively awarded US$5 million in grant funding which supports 35 small-scale Malawian agribusinesses, farmer groups, cooperatives, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

“This renewed partnership with the Government reaffirms our commitment to enhancing food security, building climate resilience, and increasing revenue generation, particularly in underserved areas,” said Adkins.

Minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda commended USADF for the renewal of the commitment towards promoting the smallholder agriculture produce, cooperatives, farmers small-scale agribusiness, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

Chithyola said the main aim is to improve the livelihoods of marginalized populations and calls for a doubling of the funding.

USADF is an independent US government agency established by Congress to invest directly in African grassroots enterprises and social entrepreneurs.