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Partnering to scale impact for smallholder farmers
NASFAM collaborates with development partners, the private sector, research institutions, and government to deliver programmes that genuinely transform farming households across Malawi.
40+
Active partners
12
Countries represented
MWK 2.1B+
Co-funded annually
Who We Partner With
NASFAM welcomes partnerships across four categories of organisations, each bringing distinct value to our shared mission.
Development Partners
NGOs, bilateral donors, and multilateral agencies that co-finance or co-implement programmes targeting farmer resilience, food security, and livelihoods.
e.g. bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, international NGOs
Private Sector
Agro-processors, commodity exporters, input suppliers, financial institutions, and technology companies committed to inclusive business models with smallholder farmers.
e.g. processors, exporters, MFIs, agritech firms
Research & Academia
Universities, research institutes, and think tanks collaborating on field-based evidence generation, varietal testing, market systems analysis, and impact evaluation.
e.g. national universities, international research institutes, think tanks
Government Institutions
Malawian ministries, district councils, and statutory bodies that co-ordinate policy implementation, farmer registration, or subsidy delivery at a national or district level.
e.g. sector ministries, statutory bodies, district councils
Partnership Models
We offer three core partnership models, though we are open to designing bespoke arrangements that suit the specific goals of each organisation.
Programme Co-Implementation
Partner organisations provide funding, technical expertise, or commodity linkages while NASFAM contributes farmer networks, field infrastructure, and extension capacity across districts.
- Joint programme design and outcome ownership
- NASFAM field presence in 45+ districts
- Shared monitoring and reporting systems
- Capacity development embedded in delivery
Market Linkage Arrangements
Private sector buyers and processors work with NASFAM to aggregate quality produce from certified member clusters, with transparent pricing and reliable supply arrangements.
- Pre-negotiated offtake agreements
- Produce grading and aggregation support
- Farmer payment tracking and transparency
- Scalable from pilot to national volumes
Research Collaboration
Academic and research institutions embed their work within NASFAM's farmer networks, accessing large representative samples for trials, surveys, and impact evaluations.
- Access to 120,000+ registered member farmers
- Multi-district randomised sampling
- Ethical research protocols and farmer consent
- Co-authorship and knowledge-sharing agreements
How to Start a Partnership
Our partnership process is designed to be transparent, efficient, and mutually beneficial. From expression of interest to programme kick-off in four steps.
Expression of Interest
Complete the expression of interest form on this page or email partnerships@nasfam.org. Describe your organisation, your goals, and how you envision the collaboration.
Initial Review
NASFAM's Partnership team reviews the submission within 10 working days, assessing alignment with our strategic priorities, farmer focus, and organisational capacity.
Scoping Meeting
If the expression of interest passes initial review, we schedule a scoping meeting to clarify objectives, discuss governance arrangements, and explore modalities.
Agreement & Kick-off
A formal Memorandum of Understanding or Partnership Agreement is drafted and signed. Programme activities commence within an agreed timeframe post-signing.
Partner Perspectives
"Working with NASFAM gave us direct access to farmer clusters we could never have reached independently. The quality of their field infrastructure is exceptional."
Programme Director
International Development Partner
"NASFAM's data collection systems and member relationships made our research study the largest of its kind in Malawi. The results have shaped national policy."
Lead Researcher
Regional Agricultural Research Institute
Current Partners
Partner names and logos are illustrative and will be updated upon finalisation.
Start a Partnership Conversation
Fill in the form opposite to send NASFAM an expression of interest. Our partnerships team will review your submission and respond within 10 working days.