Project News

From 25 to 29 October 2021, District MA-SHEP management teams from seven District Agriculture Offices (DAOs) in the 4th batch areas conducted the MA-SHEP Sensitization workshop for extension staff and farmer group representatives. Following the MA-SHEP Organizers' training held in early October, the MA-SHEP management teams in each DAO selected five target farmer groups in their respective offices based on the 'Group Selection Criteria'. Two representatives (one male and one female) from each of the selected farmer groups, the Agriculture Extension Development Officers (AEDOs) responsible for the group, and the Agriculture Extension Development Coordinators (AEDCs) were invited to the workshop to learn about the concept of the SHEP approach, the overview and progress of the project, and the roles and responsibilities involved in implementing the MA-SHEP Package. A farmer representative from Machinga District said " The problem we always had was that we couldn't find a market for our crops after we harvested them. When we heard about the concept of finding markets first and then grow to sell, it made a lot of sense to us. I can't wait to find out how we can take this forward.

In Dedza District, the District Commissioner took time out of his busy schedule to give encouragement to the participants after hearing about the workshop, and was interested in what the project would involve after briefed during the MA-SHEP project's Courtesy Call to the DC's office in late August. He sent a strong message to the participants who will play a leading role in the project activities. "You are the key players in the MA-SHEP project. You are the representatives of the District. We hope that you will do your best to make this project a success. We have high expectations for your work."

We recognized again an importance of Courtesy Call to DC in the MA-SHEP Package, and will expect support to MA-SHEP activities from the District.

MA-SHEP Desk Officer of Ntcheu DAO making a presentation (Ms. Bridget Chamdimba)

MA-SHEP Project Coordinator giving a supplementary presentation at Lilongwe West DAO (Mr. Andrew Chamanza)

A male farmer representative asking questions at Machinga DAO