proceedings of mafaas malawi extension · pdf filethe guest of honour was mr. noel limbani,...

PROCEEDINGS OF MaFAAS MALAWI EXTENSION STRATEGY INPUT

WORKSHOP 24 MARCH 2016 MALAWI INSTITUE OF MANAGEMENT

Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS),

C/O P.O. Box 30081,

Lilongwe 3,

Malawi

[email protected]

http://www.afaas-africa.org/country-fora/malawi

https://web.facebook.com/malawiforumforagriculturaladvisoryservices

https://twitter.com/MaFAASMw

www.mafaas.org

MARCH 2017

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.afaas-africa.org/country-fora/malawi

https://web.facebook.com/malawiforumforagriculturaladvisoryservices

https://twitter.com/MaFAASMw

http://www.mafaas.org/

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Contents 1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................. 3

2.0 METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................................................. 3

3.0 PROCEEDINGS .................................................................................................................................... 3

3.1 SESSION ONE: OPENING ................................................................................................................ 3

3.1.1 Welcome remarks by Dr. Charles Masangano MaFAAS Executive Committee Chairperson . 3

3.1.2 Opening Remarks by Guest of Honour Mr. Noel Limbani Representing Director of

Agricultural Extension Services ....................................................................................................... 3

3.2 SESSION TWO: THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE IN PERSPECTIVE ................................................ 4

3.2.1 Scaling Farmer Centred Model in Malawi by Frank Tchuwa .................................................. 4

3.2.2 The State of Agricultural and Nutrition Extension Provision in Malawi by Dr. Chance

Mabutwa ......................................................................................................................................... 5

3.2.3 Feedback from MaFAAS Survey on Extension Strategy by Hope Mpata. .............................. 5

3.2.4 Functionality of Assessment of DAESS Platforms by Grace Mzumara ................................... 6

3.2.5 Plenary Discussion on the Presentations on the Present and Future in Perspective ............ 6

3.2.6 Some Issues Isolated in Presentations and Discussions ......................................................... 6

3.3 SESSION THREE: GROUP DISCUSSIONS ......................................................................................... 7

3.4 SESSION FOUR: PRESENTATIONS FROM GROUP DISCUSSIONS .................................................... 7

3.4.1 Group One Presentation ........................................................................................................ 7

3.4.2 Group Two Presentation ........................................................................................................ 7

3.4.3 Group Three Presentation ...................................................................................................... 8

3.4.4 Group Four Presentation ........................................................................................................ 8

3.5 SESSION FIVE: CLOSING ................................................................................................................. 8

3.5.1 Closing Remarks by Dr. Masangano on behalf of MaFAAS and PCI Consulting Firm ............. 8

4.0 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWRD..................................................................................................... 9

5.0 ANNEXES .......................................................................................................................................... 10

5.1 FULL PRESENTATION ON FARMER CENTRED MODELS ................................................................ 10

5.2 FULL PRESENTATION ON STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION EXTENSION ...................... 17

5.3 FULL PRESENTATION ON MaFAAS FEEDBACK SURVEY ............................................................... 22

5.4 FULL PRESENTATION ON DAESS FUNCTIONALITY ASSESSMENT ................................................. 32

5.5 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP ONE DISCUSSIONS ............................................................. 41

5.6 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP TWO DISCUSSIONS ............................................................ 43

5.7 FULL PRESENTTION FROM GROUP THREE DISCUSSIONS ............................................................ 47

5.8 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP FOUR DISCUSSIONS ........................................................... 48

5.9 PARTICIPANTS’ LIST ..................................................................................................................... 49

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1.0 INTRODUCTION The Malawi Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has reviewed the 2000

extension policy and is in the process of developing a new extension strategy. In view of this, the

Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) organized a workshop to consolidate input

from district and national stakeholder actors towards the new extension strategy. The workshop was

held on Friday, 24th March 2017 at Malawi Institute of Management in Lilongwe for a full day. There

were 56 participants, 44 male and 12 female. Participants included government extension staff, NGO

representatives, farmer organization, private sector, the media, academia and government

department representatives as listed in Annex 5.9. The guest of honour was Mr. Noel Limbani,

representing the Director of Agricultural Extension Services in Malawi. The workshop was organized

using funding from the European Union (EU) African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS)

Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and several organizations and individuals who sponsored the

participants. This report aims are disseminating proceedings of the workshop.

2.0 METHODOLOGY The workshop was conducted through speeches, presentations and discussions. Full details of

presentations and group discussions are in annexes 5.1 to 5.8.

3.0 PROCEEDINGS

3.1 SESSION ONE: OPENING Opening prayer was offered by Mr. Mayamiko Kakwera. Presentation of program was done by Mr. Rex

Chapota, the MaFAAS Executive Committee Vice Chairperson. Self introductions were done.

3.1.1 Welcome remarks by Dr. Charles Masangano MaFAAS Executive Committee Chairperson He welcomed participants to the workshop and thanked them for their presence. Noted the diverse

participants including government, NGO, private sector, projects, and media. What has been the

experience with the current extension policy? What and how can we do better. Both the DAESS and

the policy will be under focus with the view of improving extension in Malawi. All experiences are

requested.

3.1.2 Opening Remarks by Guest of Honour Mr. Noel Limbani Representing Director of

Agricultural Extension Services The Department of Agricultural Extension Services is excited with the process of the review of the

policy. Major steps have been taken and now the focus is on a strategy for the next five years. The

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current extension policy has been there for 17 years but it was supposed to be reviewed after only five

years. There is the national agriculture policy and the report of the review of the current policy will be

valuable in the development of the new extension policy. Let it be known that the government is just

the policy holder but the policy is for all players in extension in Malawi.

It is noted that currently extension in Malawi has no standards. In health and education as well as other

sectors there are standards that are being adhered to. But in extension, anyone can do anything

without being checked. Coordination is also crucial in the pluralistic environment. There is need for

active participation of all members. This is the chance to give the input unlike complaining when a new

extension strategy is out. All issues including the controversial ones should be discussed. With these

remarks, he declared the workshop officially opened.

3.2 SESSION TWO: THE PRESENT AND THE FUTURE IN PERSPECTIVE

3.2.1 Scaling Farmer Centred Model in Malawi by Frank Tchuwa Interventions that have not involved farmers have not been successful. Extension has been largely top

down hence the new drive towards farmer centred models. Currently, the agricultural innovation

system which goes away from the usual research extension farmer linkage, is being promoted. This is

because we also have private sector, academia etc which should be involved. Farmer centred models

also have their own issues. For example, when working with farmers, it is the rural elite that are

involved unlike the resource poor farmers as well as women. The term participatory is used by almost

everyone without taking the true sense of participatory. The farmer centred models have also not been

upscaled. Successes have been localized. Of course success is context specific. But still, there is need

to adapt to all contexts.

A best bets project in Ntcheu, Kasungu and Mzimba is being implemented focusing on farmer centred

models. They have farmers from all social categories in all extension approaches such as being lead

farmers, members of farmer field schools. It has been noted that group based approaches result in

weakening social capital because those who are not members of the farmer groups feel marginalized.

Incentives for farmers is also a problem because of allowance syndrome which is perpetrated by

several organizations. Lead farmer and farmer field schools are more for dissemination of

technologies. Farmer research system there is more of validation of technologies. Generation of local

innovations is also important. There is need for a diversity of approaches in farmer centred models to

meet all the needs in technology dissemination, generation and validation. We need to move from just

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technologies to also the principles of the technologies. Institutional and organizational issues should

be considered in extension provision.

3.2.2 The State of Agricultural and Nutrition Extension Provision in Malawi by Dr. Chance

Mabutwa A study by IFPRI has found that the poor, the old are not receiving extension services in Malawi. There

are some technologies such as conservation agriculture whose adoption is low. There is weak demand

articulation. Extension is largely supply driven. Very few farmers are demanding extension services.

Farmers do not know what they have to demand. There is need to stimulate the demand for services.

A number of the DAESS structures are not functional across the nation. The government is by far the

most common source of extension services. Communities benefiting and using radios and ICTs.

Nutrition has not been integrated in extension in Malawi and is more being obtained from the health

sector. However, access to extension is very low. Farmers are getting more agricultural information

from fellow farmers unlike lead farmers and extension workers. Lead farmers are mostly project based

and when projects end the lead farmers stop providing services. Lead farmers and extension workers

are technology promoters and not community facilitators. NGOs have smaller coverage. Very few

NGOs are local, mostly we have international NGOs.

Very limited funding for extension. Operational funds are from donors and government funds salaries.

Trainings are not provided to extension workers. Limited incentives. Frontline extension workers spend

most of their time on Farm Input Subsidy Program and Agricultural Production Estimates, accounting

for more that 50 percent of the time. There is weak supervision and monitoring of extension.

3.2.3 Feedback from MaFAAS Survey on Extension Strategy by Hope Mpata. Accountability is highest ranked as being important for inclusion in the new strategy. There should be

market orientation in extension service provision. Farmer access to extension should be promoted.

Advocacy, market orientation and awareness should be included. Those who benefit should pay should

be abandoned because farmers are poor and extension is an essential service. Coordination of services

should not be done by government only but by several players including MaFAAS. There should be an

Extension Authority. Guidelines for approaches should be made not by government only but by all

stakeholders. There is need to regulate extension services through an extension act to safeguard the

interest of farmers. MaFAAS should be a regulating authority. Farmer field schools and demonstrations

were prioritized. There is too much focus on lead farmers and this is affecting the frontline extension

staff. DAES should monitor extension policy. MaFAAS should influence policies and conduct research

on extension. Document and mobilize information from stakeholders to respond to current and

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emerging issues. There should be e-extension platforms. There should be more appealing design of

extension messages. The DAES should have a liason officer to research institutions. Organizations

which do not provide extension services properly should be closed.

3.2.4 Functionality of Assessment of DAESS Platforms by Grace Mzumara DAECC functionality is moderate. Of the 11 districts, 4 have no DSP and lowly functional where they

exist. Area stakeholder panels are low in functionality. In DSPs, only 27 percent participants are

women. Research is not covered adequately in DAESS structures. Only one ASP has field trials in the

fields.

3.2.5 Plenary Discussion on the Presentations on the Present and Future in Perspective Paying for extension services is already being done because government funds means we are already

paying for the extension services. There are sector working groups under the Malawi Growth and

Development Strategy, hence we need to consider why we should have extension authority.

Regulation of extension is typically government function hence MaFAAS should complement not

takeover government roles. There has to be a strategy for dissemination of extension messages.

MaFAAS should have a strategy for dealing with extension challenges.

3.2.6 Some Issues Isolated in Presentations and Discussions

Extension is more elite farmer centred. The poor, the old are not receiving extension services.

Extension is focusing too much on adoption of technologies but other aspects such ass

institutional and organization issues.

Scaling out of successful initiatives is a challenge in Malawi.

Government funding for operations of extension is very low focusing on salaries and leaving

operations to donors.

There are no incentives for extension workers.

Frontline extension workers spend more than half their time on FISP and APES.

There is weak monitoring and supervision on extension.

There is weak capacity building for extension workers in Malawi.

NGO coverage (geographical) is very low.

Most DAESS structures are not operational.

Roles of various categories of stakeholders in extension are not clarified.

Standardization is poor – any one can provide extension without being checked.

Coordination of extension service providers is not clearly setup.

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Those who benefit should pay principle is not well strategized and implemented and its

continuation is not recommended.

Some extension organizations are providing poor service but are not being closed as can be

done in health and education sectors.

3.3 SESSION THREE: GROUP DISCUSSIONS The tasks were: Generate issues; Generate themes around the issues; and Generate recommendations

around the themes. Four groups were made.

3.4 SESSION FOUR: PRESENTATIONS FROM GROUP DISCUSSIONS

3.4.1 Group One Presentation Group One recommended the following. Government frontline extension staff should not be burdened

with additional tasks such as FISP. DAESS structures should be revamped and all stakeholders should

use the structures. NGOs should strengthen extension service provision and just not be distributors of

inputs. The value chain approach should be utilized to improve the focus of extension services to go

beyond production.

Participants noted that there is need to streamline the roles of DSP and DAECC. There must be

functional review for stakeholder role. We need to differentiate between harmonization and

standardization.

3.4.2 Group Two Presentation Group Two recommended the following. Agricultural value chain actors, including input, produce,

financial service providers need to be involved in extension services. There is need to strengthen

research in extension. There must be a stand alone regulatory body for extension in Malawi. Capacity

building should be harmonized. There is need to establish, publish and disseminate inventory of AEAS

providers.

In the discussion, participants noted that some private sector players do not know much about

agricultural extension and there is need to create awareness. NGOs do not disclose how much funds

they have and how much they can support the government extension workers in the open so that

engagement of government extension workers for NGO activities should be done formally.

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3.4.3 Group Three Presentation Group three recommended the following. Categorize farmers for effective targeting. There must be

incentives for extension workers such as hardship allowance. There must be standard procedures for

engaging stakeholders such as use of government frontline extension staff. DAESS structures should

be adequately funded. There must be better indicators for evaluating impact of extension. Core

function analysis should be done in order to streamline the roles of extension workers in view of the

fact that they spend more time of FISP and APES. There must be a regulation system for extension

services in the country. Leverage resources for extension from sources such as Local Development

Fund. Extension workers should be specialized through incremental trainings.

Participants noted that specialization for frontline extension staff can not be ideal because there will

be need for having too many specialized extensionists to do the work of a single frontline extension

worker. Call centres should be utilized to link with specialists for backstopping. Some participants

raised an issue on whether frontline extension staff should be trained to certificate or diploma level.

The response was that they should be trained to a diploma level since this is a policy of the Ministry of

Agriculture but they should have a good balance of soft skills such as facilitation skills and technical

skills such as production.

3.4.4 Group Four Presentation Group Four recommended the following. There should be a categorization of farmers who should be

paying for which services and who should not pay. Some services should be free for all. Non state

actors should be encouraged to employ their own extension workers and minimize the use of

government extension staff. Lead farmer guidelines should be finalized for use by all actors to minimize

challenges with Lead Farmers. Agriculture extension workers should promote nutrition. FISP should be

handled by specific officers such as enumerators and APES should be done by National Statistical

Offices and not government extension staff.

Participants noted that NGOs are spoiling extension work through allowances which they give to

extension workers and farmers without following procedures. Participants reiterated that NGOs and

other stakeholders should employ their own frontline staff.

3.5 SESSION FIVE: CLOSING

3.5.1 Closing Remarks by Dr. Masangano on behalf of MaFAAS and PCI Consulting Firm He thanked participants for their active participation in the workshop. From a consultant perspective,

he stated that the workshop provided an opportunity to interface and get views from stakeholders. A

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lot of ideas have been generated. The consultancy is in three phases – consultation, issues report, and

development of the strategy. This workshop is part of the consultation process.

As a MaFAAS Executive Committee Chairperson, he informed members that MaFAAS has been making

progress and is doing a good job in extension service promotion in Malawi. He stated that the African

Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) is planning to hold an Africa wide extension week in

November 2017 in Durban and members of MaFAAS are requested to register to participate. He

informed participants that AFAAS is requesting innovation grants for extension approaches that are

innovative. The selection process will be as follows: develop or document the extension approach,

present during MaFAAS Extension Week scheduled for 19 to 23rd June 2017, the best innovation

exhibitions will be selected for presentation at AFAAS Extension Week and considered for funding.

With these remarks, he officially closed the workshop.

The closing prayer was offered by Mr. Rex Chapota.

4.0 CONCLUSION AND WAY FORWRD The workshop was successful since participants identified and discussed pertinent issues affecting

implementation of agricultural extension in Malawi. It is the expectation of the MaFAAS fraternity that

the consultant will synthesize the recommendations and include them in the Malawi extension

strategy.

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5.0 ANNEXES

5.1 FULL PRESENTATION ON FARMER CENTRED MODELS

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5.2 FULL PRESENTATION ON STATE OF AGRICULTURE AND NUTRITION EXTENSION

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5.3 FULL PRESENTATION ON MaFAAS FEEDBACK SURVEY

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5.4 FULL PRESENTATION ON DAESS FUNCTIONALITY ASSESSMENT

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5.5 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP ONE DISCUSSIONS

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5.6 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP TWO DISCUSSIONS

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5.7 FULL PRESENTTION FROM GROUP THREE DISCUSSIONS KEY ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS

1. REPRESENTATION/ THE BLANKET APPROACH

There is need to categorize farmers as according to their characteristics to enhance better targeting. Farmers are different. We need to understand the minds of each particular group of farmers in order to come up with the correct paths to use to reach them.

Formulate extension packages based on the needs of the farmers.

Empowerment of communities to enhance self-analysis.

2. RESOURCE ALLOCATION

There is need for better harmonization and standardization. We should set up standards that will ensure a single pathway for players to take extension to farmers.

DAES should develop standard operating procedures where one route is used for all extension services

Create better incentives for extension services e.g. Hardship allowance.

Better allocation of resources by the MoAFS

3. FUNCTIONALITY OF EXISTING STRUCTURES e.g. ASPs, DAEC etc.

There must be well defined roles for the different structures and structures must fully understand them.

Create well defined principles (by-laws) that players should maintain in order to maintain standards.

Provision of adequate resources

Capacity building of the frontline staff

4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Come up with better indicators for evaluating service providers. Look at principles other than technologies as a sign of progress.

5. EXTENSION WORKERS ARE DIVERTING FROM THEIR DESIGNATED ROLES

Capacity building of players in the private sector.

Implementation of the core-function analysis which has recommendations on this issue.

6. QUALITY ASSURANCE Develop regulation system for all extension services in the country

7. LOW EMERGENCE OF ICTs

Promote the use of ICTs

Capacity building

Advocating for reduced costs of ICT services

8. POOR LINKAGE BETWEEN EXTENSION AND RESEARCH

Setting up standards at Training institutions.

Strengthen the linkages

Role of CAETS

Promote a single path that players must use to get to the farmer.

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KEY ISSUES RECOMMENDATIONS

9. POOR LINKAGES TO OTHER STRUCTURES

MASAF projects linked to extension

10. WHAT KIND OF EXTENSION WORKERS SHOULD WE TRAIN? GENERAL OR SPECIFIC?

Institutions should increase competency of extension workers. Promote specialization of agricultural extension through incremental trainings.

5.8 FULL PRESENTATION FROM GROUP FOUR DISCUSSIONS

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5.9 PARTICIPANTS’ LIST No. Name (In Full) Sex Organization Position Phone

Number Email

1 Frank Tchuwa M LUANAR-Bunda

Lecturer 0996545274 [email protected]

2 Mathias Timothy

M Umodzi Consulting

Consultant 0884257810 [email protected]

3 Brino Mwale M Malawi News Agency

Reporter 0882921797 [email protected]






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No. Name (In Full) Sex Organization Position Phone Number

Email

4 Erick Haraman M Blantyre ADD Deputy Programme Manager

0999102658 [email protected]

5 Hyton Lefu M Oxfam Malawi

Program Coordinator


6 Stacia Nordin F University of Illinois-SANE

Nutritionist 0999333073 [email protected]

7 Sopani R. Nebu M One Acre Fund

District Manager


8 Khumbo Kamanga

M United Purpose

Project Manager


9 Blessings Susuweli

M Agriculture Lilongwe ADD

PEMO 0888708670 [email protected]

10 Kumbukani Munthali

M Farmers World, FSU

Area Manager

0999978553/ 0888520189

[email protected]

11 Wycliff Kumwenda

M NASFAM Head of Farm Services


12 Frank Tembo M Ag DIV Lead Resilience


13 Rex Chapota M Farm Radio Trust

Executive Director


14 Mayamiko N Kakwera

M LUANAR-Bunda

Stuff Associate

0888536777/ 0999636777

[email protected]

15 Isaac Jali M MBC Reporter 0881277990/ 0991 327 111

[email protected]

16 Brian Itai M MANA Reporter 0999104 334 [email protected]

17 Andrew Chipanda

M Galaxy FM Reporter 0991752013 [email protected]

18 Edward J. Mathuwa

M Farm Radio Trust

Account Assistant


19 Bon Kautale M Thyolo Agriculture Office

AEMO 0888362686 [email protected]

20 Charles Mthepeya

M DAES Radio Program Officer


21 Excello Zidana M DAES SRPO 0999226261 [email protected]

22 Prisca Kachigunda

F DAES Agriculture Journalist


23 Lorraine Muthala

F LUANAR.NRC Campus

Lecturer 0991796157 [email protected]





































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Email

24 Maurice Mantchombe

M ARET Extension & Communication Specialist


25 M Cadrin F University of Illinois

CoP 0997646650 [email protected]

26 Grace Mzumara

F SANE Monitoring of Evaluation Specialist


27 Donald Kazanga

M Heifer International Malawi

Project Manager


28 Redson Mtika M MBC Cameraman


29 Lemekeza Mokiwa

M CARE Malawi Program Director


30 Chesterman Kumwenda

M FAO Programme Officer


31 Paul Kabuluzi M KADD P/Bag 28

DPM 0888388708 [email protected]

32 C. Mthinda F LUANAR Lecturer 0999949388 [email protected]

33 Pauline Mbukwa

F Farm Radio Trust

Radio Programming Specialist


34 Charles Govati M Agricultural Resources LTD

Marketing Development


35 Benjamin Chisama

M DARS TDC 0992220369 [email protected]

36 Yaz Nyirenda M Rumphi DAO DADO 0999938064 [email protected]

37 Martin Banda M USAID Agricultural Program Development Specialist


38 Thokozani Kalanje

F CONCERN WORLDWIDE

Food & Nutrition Security


39 Nikolas Bosscher

M Government of Flanders

Rep. 0888207920 [email protected]

40 Charles Masangano

M LUANAR Lecturer 0888843785 [email protected]

41 Elles Kwanjana F NASFAM Capacity Building & Community




































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Email

Development

42 Noel Limbani M DAES ACAEO 0888524598 [email protected]

43 Amakhosi Jere M DAPP Malawi SGA Specialist


44 D. Ghambi M KADD PATO 0883509286 [email protected]

45 O. Chapotoka M Dedza DAO DADO 0994182350 [email protected]

46 William Kawenda

M AHCX Marketing Manager


47 Daniso Mkweu M LUANAR Technician 0999074076 [email protected]

48 D. Mchikho F DAES 0999288561 [email protected]

49 Hope P. Mpata F MaFAAS Program Assistant


50 Grace M. Malindi

F Mgomeka Seed

CEO 0888506440 [email protected]

51 Spriano Ndevuzamwaye

M INTER-AIDE Deputy Program Manager

0999246884/ 0884458321

[email protected]

52 James Mlamba M Total Land Care

Project Manager


53 Erick Haraman M BLADD Deputy Programme Manager


54 E. Mwendo-Phiri

M MaFAAS Executive Member


55 Yolam Khaila M Farm Radio Trust

M & E Assistant


56 Paul Fatch M MaFAAS Secretary General




























proceedings of mafaas malawi extension · pdf filethe guest of honour was mr. noel limbani,...

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