Malawi’s demographic landscape presents a stark reality: half its population is young, brimming with potential, yet often disillusioned with agriculture. The 2018 Population and Housing Census revealed this vast youth demographic, a group that could be the catalyst for the nation’s economic transformation. However, a persistent misconception paints agriculture as a “dirty” and unprofitable pursuit, deterring many from pursuing careers in the sector.
But a new wave of young agri-entrepreneurs is challenging this narrative, proving that farming can be a lucrative and innovative path. Their success stories, like that of the Tigwilizanene Youth Club in Balaka District, are beacons of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of youth engagement in agriculture.
The Tigwilizanene Youth Club, a 66-member collective, embarked on a goat farming venture in November 2024, armed with a K27 million matching grant from the World Bank-funded Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project (MWASIP). This initiative, born from their dedication to environmental conservation, has blossomed into a thriving agri-business, showcasing the potential of youth-driven projects.
“We discovered a stark reality: deforestation and land degradation had depleted the natural resources around our village,” recounts Duncan Bonongwe, the club’s chairperson. “This disrupted rainfall patterns and negatively impacted agricultural productivity.”
In recognition of their reafforestation efforts, MWASIP awarded them the grant, enabling them to diversify into goat farming. The club purchased a herd, constructed a sturdy goat pen, and built a storage facility for feed and supplies. They also created local employment by hiring caretakers and watchmen.
Today, the club boasts a herd of 51 goats, with ambitions to expand to 100 and ultimately become a leading meat production cooperative. The Balaka District Livestock Development Office is providing crucial support, offering capacity-building mentorship on livestock production, breeding, feeding, and marketing.
“We provide capacity building mentorship focusing on pillars of livestock production such as breeding, feeding, housing, disease and parasite control as well as record keeping and marketing,” explains Joel Phiri, the district’s animal health and livestock development officer.
The Tigwilizanene Youth Club’s story serves as a powerful antidote to the prevailing negative perception of agriculture. It highlights the potential for young people to drive positive change and achieve economic success through determination and innovation.
However, the challenge remains to rebrand agriculture as a dynamic and lucrative career path. By showcasing the success of young agri-entrepreneurs and providing them with the necessary support, Malawi can inspire a new generation to embrace agriculture, driving growth, prosperity, and food security in line with the Malawi 2063 development blueprint. This blueprint acknowledges the youth as a vital resource, placing them at the forefront of the nation’s development aspirations.
