Policy / Governance ... The voice of the smallholder Advocating for a Better Future Every year NASFAM goes into the rural areas to talk to its member farmers about the problems they face. These issues are built into a policy platform that is communicated to all stakeholders in an annual policy symposium and followed up throughout the year at targeted stakeholder meetings. The Voice of the Smallholder Civil society organisations play a key role in achieving broad popular participation in democratic processes based on empowerment of the poor. NASFAM is widely regarded as the “Voice of the Smallholder” in Malawi, and NASFAM’s Policy and Advocacy programmes are designed specifically to carry out this function. But most importantly, its members are empowered through their very organisation into democratically elected clubs and associations, and this is what ultimately makes NASFAM the voice of the smallholder farmers.  Advocay Tax Triumph NASFAM are continually lobbying and advocating policy change to benefit the smallholder. Their biggest recent triumph was a successful campaign aimed at the government through Malawi Revenue Authority and relevant ministries to have the 7% tobacco withholding tax removed from tobacco sold through smallholder clubs. A major achievement and benefit to members, and an example of the power of the collective voice. “We faced many problems [before forming the local association] especially in the field of marketing, such as lack of reliable markets, low market prices, unscrupulous buyers and lack of technical expertise … Many changes that have taken place since the association was formed. Farmers now have a voice, and big organisations now recognise our concerns.” Margaret Matimba - groundnut farm Mr Mbewe, a smallholder tobacco farmer in Mchinji expressed the general delight among smallholders at the news of the tax breakthrough. 'The tax meant we had less money to spend on inputs for the next season. The claim forms (even with the help of the association) took too much time to complete and then the money would be refunded by the MRA sometimes more than a year later. When all the prices were higher. Now we will have all our payment at the time of sale and we can invest in more inputs for the next season without having to borrow money.'