FAO-China Malawi South-South Cooperation Phase II Launch: Advancing Agricultural Transformation

Lilongwe, Malawi – The launch of the second phase of the FAO-China South-South Cooperation (SSC) project in Malawi marks a significant milestone in the nation’s agricultural development journey. Spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of China (MARA), this transformative two-year initiative seeks to build upon the successes of the first phase while addressing Malawi’s agricultural challenges with practical and sustainable solutions. The inception meeting took place on 27 November 2024 in Lilongwe. Over 30 participants attended the inception including the senior officials from the Malawi Ministry of Agriculture, a representative from the Chinese Embassy to Malawi and colleagues from FAO.

Following the achievements of Phase I, which introduced over 100 innovative agricultural techniques and substantially enhanced production capacities, Phase II will span from October 2024 to October 2026. This phase focuses on advancing horticulture, including vegetables, fruits, and legumes, while incorporating modern agricultural machinery and enhancing veterinary diagnostic capabilities. The project is designed to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen food security, and build the technical capacity of key stakeholders through field demonstrations, expert consultations, and capacity-building initiatives such as a study tour to China and customized in-country training sessions. With a budget of $1.3 million, the project will deploy five long-term Chinese experts and two short-term specialists to work closely with Malawian counterparts from the Ministry of Agriculture and train local farmers.

Key Remarks from the inception

In his opening remarks, Dr. Zhijun Chen, FAO Country Representative, emphasized the importance of the South-South Cooperation project in supporting agrifood systems transformation in Malawi. He also highlighted the significance of field demonstrations and practical trainings conducted by the Chinese experts.

Dr. Alfred Mwenifumbo, Controller of Agriculture Extension and Technical Services, highlighted the pivotal role of this partnership in advancing Malawi’s Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp). He underscored the project’s potential to mitigate food insecurity, build resilience against climate-related shocks, and drive economic growth through sustainable agricultural practices. 

Yahui Zhang, Senior Coordinator of the South-South and Triangular Cooperation Division (PST), commended Malawi’s enduring partnership with China. He highlighted the transformative impact of the SSC modality in fostering innovative, sustainable, and inclusive agricultural practices globally, reinforcing its relevance for Malawi’s agricultural transformation.

Leveraging the Potential of South-South Cooperation

As a flagship initiative of FAO, the SSC modality facilitates the exchange of technical knowledge, skills, and resources among developing nations. In this project, Chinese experts dispatched by MARA will introduce adaptable and demand-driven agricultural technologies while collaborating with Malawian institutions to localize and sustain these practices.

This partnership is aligned with FAO’s Strategic Framework and directly supports the agrifood systems transformation in the developing countries, contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The project supports the Malawi 2063 vision on agriculture productivity and commercialisation.

Way Forward

The SSC Phase II inception workshop has laid a strong foundation for a robust implementation framework centred on knowledge transfer and farmer empowerment, especially women and youth. By uniting stakeholders under a shared vision, Phase II aims to deliver lasting impacts, paving the way for a resilient, productive, and self-reliant agriculture sector in Malawi.