Farmer clubs and smallholder agricultural development in Malawi

Abstract

In 1978, the Malawi Government through its Ministry of Agriculture introduced farmer clubs into the smallholder agricultural system. These clubs were intended to be channels through which credit facilities and agricultural advice would be made available to larger numbers of farmers than hitherto.

This paper suggests that apart from their present functions, fanner clubs could form the basis of joint action for the construction of infrastructure, purchase of farm equipment, pooling of labour and the representation of small farmers’ interests. It is further suggested that these additional functions might make farmer clubs more attractive and make people want to belong to them, and more importantly, to remain members.

Notes

Lecturer in Sociology, University of Malawi.