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Just like many sectors, the agriculture sectors in multi-faced such that various challenges will continue to rock the sector. However, for sustainable solution as well as sector vibrancy there is a need for the public and private sector to work closely at all levels.

Felix Lombe, CEO of African Institute of Corporate Citizenship says that unlike other sectors, private sector engagement in the agriculture sector has been very minimal at all levels and this has equally affected the operations within the sector.

“In wake of this, we would like to urge all players in the sector including the private sector to work together in order to grow the sector in the direction that all players desire. Lasting solution to the challenges facing the sector can also be addressed only when all stakeholders take part in finding solution.”

African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) is a non-governmental organisation whose main mandate is to promote the role of business in development. AICC specialises in acting as a catalyst and facilitator of change; a broker and initiator of multi-sector partnerships and platforms; and a knowledge management hub for issues relating to the role of responsible business in African societies. AICC is committed to promoting responsible growth and competitiveness in Africa by changing the way companies do business in liaison with the public sector. This is done to benefit people and the economy while building sustainable communities.

AICC started in the 2001 with its first office in South Africa but later in 2005, the organisation expanded and opened a branch in Malawi. Since then, AICC has been involved in research; advocacy; training and capacity building; facilitation of multi-stakeholder process for policy change; social learning and collective action in various fields including agribusiness value chain and social development.

Lombe says AICC’s goal is to ensure that the public sector works closely with the private sector.

“Many developing nations in Africa continue to face various socio-economic challenges despite the ever increasing support and interventions being fostered by various players in the country. These dynamic challenges facing African countries today call for not only renewed and concerted efforts but also collaborative efforts by all relevant stakeholders. Major challenges experienced by the ever-growing population amidst ever decreasing resources require governments, private sector and civil society to act together to exercise shared responsibility to achieve collective prosperity that help build sustainable communities. Thus to say, the countries can only register high success in development if there is strong correlation between the public and private sectors.”

By Macneil Kalowekamo

For many people in Mzimba, the idea of going to South Africa in search of a better life is more appealing than any thought.The people who go to the rainbow nation from this district claim to find life in the village very difficult. The majority of these are men who often leave their families behind to chase a dream in this foreign nation.

While many youths in Mzimba think of following their friends and relatives to South Africa, one young man by the name of Enoch Chirwa thinks otherwise. “I see that there is potential of doing greater things here in my village than going to South Africa,” says the 22-year-old young man from Mama Godi Shumba Village in Traditional Authority Mbelwa in the district.

The marketing season for the 2016/2017 growing season is finally here. From all perspectives, things have already started to take shape on the market with various traders flocking to rural areas to buy various commodities from smallholder farmers. With levels of poverty so high among many smallholder farmers, coupled by high illiterate levels, most farmers have been tempted to sale their commodities when they have not fully dried up to the correct moisture. This is done perhaps with the hopes of making hay while the sun shine and possibly address some of the challenges they meet in their day to day life. However, when all is said and done, one thing that remains critical to almost all stakeholders especially farmers, is usually prices. While farmers are excited with the good produce they have realised due to the good rains experienced this growing season, a major concern of many farmers is on prices, as such seasons are usually characterized by low prices of commodities.

As one way of ensuring that fair trade prevails this season, the African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) through its Market Access Programme, has been organizing business to business meetings across the regions in Malawi with an aim of fostering partnerships and trust among all players in the agricultural value chain. The meeting in central region, that took place at cross roads hotel in Lilongwe, saw various players from both the private and public sector patronizing the event. 10 companies and 61 farmers from various associations and cooperatives in Lilongwe, Dowa and Ntchisi attended the event in Lilongwe.