| Membership..... Mobilised, motivated farmers |
 | Who are NASFAM members?
Around 80 % of Malawi’s population depends on smallholder farming for their livelihood. Like most Malawian smallholder farmers, an average NASFAM member farms less than one hectare of land to support a family of six peole. Membership is both men and women.
And NASFAM’s gender programme ensures equitable participation of both sexes in farming and Association leadership. Member crop production is typically at 60:40 split between cash and food crops |
| NASFAM services to members
NASFAM provides its members with support and guidance on how to organize themselves to farm as a business. This includes advice and technical support on crop selection and production, training on agronomic pactices, access to inputs, field crop management, harvesting and post-harvest management. In addition, NASFAM provides marketing support, facilitating the bulking of member crops to secure access to the most profitable markets for reliable income. Members are also provided with community support to mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS, increase gender equality and food security, as well as ensuring that the voice of the smallholder is head through policy lobbying and advocacy. |  | Where Does NASFAM Work
NASFAM operates nationwide across Malawi, with field based operations focused around offices in Karonga, Rumphi, South Mzimba, kasungu, Ntchisi, Nkhotakota, Mchinji, Lilongwe North and South, Ntcheu, Balaka, Namwera, Zomba and Mulanje. NASFAM is made up of commercial agribusiness associations that are independent, self-governing and financially viable. To join NASFAM, associations must meet exacting criteria, following which both parties sign a Service Contract. NASFAM is continually growing in terms of membership, geographical areas and crops.
NASFAM Associations are made up of clubs of between 10 and 20 farmers, which work together in a Group Action / Marketing Centre Committee. These clubs then in turn form Associations of 300-5,000 members. The Association Committee is elected by the General Body, which also elects National Assembly Representatives. Association sub-committees are formed to coordinate specific activities in the Association. NASFAM is governed by an elected Board of Directors.
Keys to Success
A commitment to working only with self-motivated farmer groups has enabled NASFAM to effectively reach out to tens of thousands of smallholders. Research conducted before each new geographic area is targeted, ensures that only those with economic and human potential are selected.
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"Click image to enlarge" | | Associations are viewed as business entities that exist to improve the socio- economic standing of members through commercial services that address constraints to smallholder-member livelihoods. And NASFAM does not attempt to provide all the services that members need, but rather facilitates links to other service providers. |
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