From Where I Stand "A fishing rod instead of fish"

“Before the project, life was tough. My husband and I struggled to send our children to school consistently and often had to borrow money just to get by. But everything changed in 2019, when my agriculture cooperative group learnt about climate-smart modern farming technology, thanks to support from UN Women.

Before 2019, our harvests were small, and we barely made enough to survive. But after learning how to plant groundnuts in double rows, new business skills and diversifying our livelihood, I saw a significant improvement. Now, we can send our children to school without worry. I also learnt new farming practices and received certified seeds of improved groundnut varieties, seeds that are high-yielding, drought-tolerant, and mature early. 

Since 2019, I've been using double row planting, and the results have been incredible. From the same piece of land, I used to harvest very little, but now I get much more. In 2018, I earned MK600,000 ($342) from my crops, but in 2019, I made MK1,500,000 ($855). Last year, I earned MK2,900,000 ($1,653) from the same land. Over the years, I've harvested no less than 100 bags (5,000 kg) of beans. 

With the proceeds, I've diversified into other businesses. I rear chickens, ducks, pigs, and goats, and I also farm tobacco. These ventures have allowed me to support my children's education. One of my children recently graduated with a degree in disaster management, while another is finalising high school. I've also built a beautiful iron-roofed house, unlike the old one, which had a leaking thatch roof.

 In 2022, I opened a tearoom, barbershop, and grocery shop, where I sell soap, tomatoes, cooking oil, and more. This was possible thanks to the business skills I gained from UN Women. They challenged us to take charge of our destiny. UN Women also taught us how to calculate profits for our businesses to maximize our finances. I believed I could work hard to provide for my family and I have. UN Women should continue empowering women with skills, which is like giving us a fishing rod instead of fish.”

The Agriculture Sector Wide Approach Support Project (ASWAP-SP II), implemented by UN Women in Malawi and the Malawi Government and funded by the World Bank from 2018 to 2023. The project empowered thousands of women smallholder farmers, closing the gender productivity gap and reshaping agricultural practices in Malawi.