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Solidaridad Boosts Malawi Tea Farmers with Seedlings and Support

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In a significant boost to smallholder tea farmers in Thyolo, Malawi, Solidaridad has provided over 80,000 tea seedlings to more than 1,000 farmers across two tea growers associations (Chizunga and Msuwazi), as well as Mtendere cooperative.

Beyond the seedlings, Solidaridad has supported these farmers with essential materials for tea nursery construction and management, including wires, hoes, shovels, wheelbarrows, watering cans, planting pots, nails, and fertilizers. Additionally, Solidaridad is offering comprehensive training on nursery management to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills necessary for producing high-quality tea seedlings.

This initiative aims to address the critical challenge faced by smallholder farmers in accessing good-quality tea seedlings, which are essential for producing higher-quality tea with greater potential for sale at premium prices. Many tea growers in Malawi still rely on outdated tea varieties, resulting in low production and poor-quality tea leaves. By providing farmers with seedlings, construction materials, fertilizer, and essential training, Solidaridad is helping to bridge the gap in resource access and create sustainable livelihoods within Malawi’s tea sector.

Bridging the Gap: Providing Vital Resources to Farmers

Tea seedlings are often expensive and difficult to obtain for smallholder farmers. Solidaridad’s support aims to address this gap by delivering over 80,000 high-quality seedlings, empowering farmers to expand and improve their tea crops. This initiative is designed to help farmers boost their production and overcome the financial barriers that have previously limited their growth.

“Many smallholder farmers simply don’t have the financial means to purchase quality seedlings,” says Given Phiri, Country Manager for Solidaridad (Malawi). “By providing these seedlings, along with construction materials and fertilizer, we are enabling farmers to increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods in a sustainable way.”

Sustainable Farming Through Training and Resources

Beyond the provision of seedlings, Solidaridad is investing in the long-term sustainability of the tea sector by offering specialized training and resources. Farmers are learning how to manage their crops more efficiently, using modern techniques that enhance productivity and environmental sustainability. The construction materials provided also allow farmers to build storage facilities and infrastructure, helping to prevent post-harvest losses.

“Providing seedlings is just one part of the solution,” explains Misozi Magaleta, Project Manager Pathways to Prosperity (P2P) Tea. “Farmers also need the skills and resources to cultivate and maintain their crops effectively. The training and materials we provide are essential in ensuring that the farmers can realize the full potential of their tea fields and support their families.”

Promoting Gender Inclusivity in Malawi’s Tea Sector

Solidaridad’s initiative includes a strong emphasis on gender inclusivity, ensuring that women farmers are fully integrated and empowered in this process. “Empowering women in agriculture is key to driving inclusive growth in Malawi,” said Precious Greehy, Head of Gender and Youth at Solidaridad. “By ensuring that women have equal access to resources and training, we are creating opportunities for them to thrive and actively participate in the decision-making processes within their communities.”

“Women play a critical role in tea farming in Malawi and often they are the ones performing the majority of labor in the fields,” added Nozipho Ndlovu, Regional Programme Manager of the Reclaim Sustainability Tea Program at Solidaridad. “However, they frequently face challenges in accessing quality resources, training, and market opportunities, which limits their potential for economic empowerment. This initiative actively addresses these barriers by ensuring that women tea farmers have equitable access to seedlings, training on nursery management, and resources needed to establish and sustain successful tea enterprises.”

Impacting Lives

This initiative is part of Solidaridad’s broader commitment to creating sustainable supply chains that are prosperous, inclusive, and in balance with nature. As demonstrated in Solidaridad’s theory of change, the program not only benefits farmers and workers but also strengthens supportive business ecosystems and enabling policy environments.

Through good practices, market uptake, and collaborative stakeholder engagement, Solidaridad is helping to build resilient supply chains that improve livelihoods and promote sustainability across the region. By empowering farmers, fostering inclusivity, and supporting sustainable frameworks, Solidaridad’s efforts are driving positive, systemic change within Malawi’s tea sector and across Southern Africa at large.

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