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Championing farmer-centred policy reform
NASFAM uses evidence from the field to shape national agricultural policies that genuinely work for smallholder farming households across Malawi.
14+
Policy submissions since 2018
8
National platforms represented
3
Active advocacy campaigns
How We Advocate
NASFAM's advocacy approach is built on three interconnected commitments that keep farmer voices at the centre of policy dialogue.
Evidence-Based Advocacy
Every position NASFAM advances is grounded in field-level data collected from member farmers, cooperative leaders, and district associations across all regions.
Inclusive Consultation
We ensure smallholder farmers — especially women and youth — are directly represented in consultations with government ministries, donor bodies, and international agencies.
Strategic Engagement
NASFAM participates in national budget processes, commodity boards, parliamentary committees, and regional agricultural policy dialogues to translate evidence into actionable reform.
Priority Policy Areas
NASFAM's advocacy agenda concentrates on six structural areas where policy change can directly improve smallholder farmer livelihoods.
Input Subsidies and Access
Advocating for fair and timely distribution of the national input subsidy programme to smallholder households, with transparent targeting criteria and reduced leakage.
Commodity Pricing and Markets
Pushing for transparent floor pricing mechanisms, fair buyer-seller contracts, and the elimination of exploitative middlemen in key value chains.
Climate Adaptation Policy
Calling for dedicated budget lines for climate-smart agriculture extension, drought-tolerant seed distribution, and smallholder-specific disaster response frameworks.
Land Tenure and Rights
Supporting legal reforms that strengthen smallholder land security, including customary land documentation and protections against involuntary displacement.
Agri-Finance and Credit
Engaging financial institutions and regulators to develop fit-for-purpose credit products for seasonal farming cycles and promote digital financial inclusion in rural areas.
Extension Services
Advocating for an adequately funded and farmer-responsive agricultural extension system with sufficient extension worker-to-farmer ratios across all districts.
Active Campaigns
Commodity Price Transparency Campaign
A coordinated engagement with the relevant commodity exchange body and the Ministry of Agriculture to establish and enforce transparent floor prices for key commodity grades sold by smallholder farmers.
Key Value Chain Policy Review Submission
A formal submission to the Ministry of Trade on structural barriers within a priority agricultural value chain, including processing bottlenecks and unfair buyer-seller contract terms.
Youth Farmer Land Access Policy Brief
A policy brief presented to the relevant national land authority recommending specific provisions for young farmer land allocation within the ongoing national land policy revision process.
Policy Submissions & Publications
Submission to the National Agriculture Policy Review
Farmer Voices Report: Input Access Experiences
Climate-Smart Agriculture: A Smallholder Policy Agenda
Market Transparency in the Key Commodity Value Chain — Findings
Annual Advocacy Impact Summary
Gender-Responsive Agricultural Policy: Position Paper
Platforms & Committees We Engage
National Agriculture Investment Plan Steering Committee
Member Organisation
National Oilseeds and Legumes Technical Working Group
Farmer Representative
National Civil Society Agriculture Network
Board Member
Regional Smallholder Farmers Group — Continental Observer
Regional Delegate
National Parliamentary Agriculture Committee
Regular Submitter
National Food and Nutrition Advisory Body
Consultation Partner
Support Farmer Advocacy
Whether you are a researcher, a policymaker, or a development organisation — your engagement strengthens the evidence base and broadens the impact of NASFAM's advocacy work.