By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, September 19, Mana: Agriculture officials and dairy farmers in Thyolo District have lauded the Transforming Agriculture Through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE)" project for significantly improving livelihoods.

In an interview on Wednesday after touring Dwale and Thyolo Centre Extension Planning Areas (EPAs), Thyolo TRADE Desk Officer Kingsley Masinga said the project focuses on empowering farmers to treat farming as a business through supporting Milk Bulking Groups (MBGs).

"It is encouraging to see farmers not only focusing on production but also on selling their produce," Masinga said.

He said the project has made good progress particularly in moving from community-level engagement and planning to a more personalized, family-level approach, this, he said, has resulted in better outcomes at the household level.

Masinga said on a larger scale, the TRADE project also includes infrastructure development, with renovations of MBGs, roads, and bridges currently underway.

An Extension Worker for Mtambanyama MBGs in Thyolo Centre EPA, Dyton Kafulama said dairy farming has greatly benefited farmers, enabling them to meet their basic needs, such as food, shelter, and school fees.

"The TRADE project is an eye-opener for farmers, helping them diversify their farming. They are now growing various crops such as soyabeans, tomatoes, cabbages, and maize, in addition to selling milk," said Kafulama.

A beneficiary from Mpeni MBG, Titani Banda, expressed gratitude to the TRADE project for promoting gender balance in her household.

The six-year project, implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, is being carried out in 10 districts including Thyolo, Blantyre, Dedza, Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mchinji, Nkhata Bay, Chitipa, and Karonga.

 It is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Open Fund for International Development.