By Lyte Ali

Mangochi, December 19, Mana: A total of 122 farmers from six traditional authorities in Mangochi have graduated as private service providers (PSP) after undergoing three years of training on farm inputs proper management and market links courtesy of the USAID-funded Titukulane project.

Speaking during the graduation ceremony, on Wednesday, Mangochi District Council, Chairperson, Councilor, Abudul Yusuf, urged the farmers to utilize the acquired skills to improve farmers' livelihoods.  

"Limited markets for farmers is one the challenges our district faces. I am therefore delighted to note that this project focused on the establishment of market linkages to ensure that our farmers have access to good markets.

‘‘These skilled individuals will help to bridge the gap between farmers and markets, a challenge the district has faced for a long time. By connecting farmers to markets, we expect that there should be enough market, benefiting both farmers and the local economy," he added.

He, therefore, commended Titukulane Project and its partners for supporting Mangochi District Council in empowering farmers to be self-reliant for sustainable agriculture.

In his remarks, Project Manager for Titukulane in Mangochi, Gerald Meke, said the project goal was to help bring a positive impact on agriculture to farmers in Mangochi, by assisting them to access better markets for their produce as well as by reducing hunger in the district.

He added that many small-scale farmers in Mangochi realize good harvests but are often exploited on the market due to limited formal markets.

"We equipped them with skills of cooperatives so that they should sell their produce as groups," he said.

Titukulane was a five-year project implemented by a consortium of organizations, including Emmanuel International, Care Malawi, and Save the Children, with funding from USAID, and it phased out its activities in December 2024.