Farmers supported by the Foundation's Agriculture & Food Security program recorded their best harvest in five years, with average yields up 45% thanks to improved seeds and training.
Smallholder farmers supported by the El Chay Foundation's Community Agriculture & Food Security program have reported their best harvest in five years, with average crop yields up 45% compared to the previous season.
The results come after a year of intensive support that included distribution of improved seed varieties, training in climate-smart farming techniques, and establishment of eight demonstration plots across the Northern Region.
Over 650 farming families participated in the 2024 season, growing tomatoes, cabbages, maize, and a range of vegetables. The Foundation distributed more than 800 seed kits to vulnerable households at the start of the planting season.
"Last year we struggled to feed our family. This year we have enough to eat and enough to sell at the market," said one farmer from outside Mzuzu. "The Foundation taught us how to prepare the soil properly and when to plant. It made all the difference."
The demonstration plots were particularly effective in showing farmers the potential of improved varieties. Farmers who visited the plots and adopted the recommended techniques saw the highest yield improvements — in some cases more than doubling their previous output.
The Foundation is now working to connect farmers to local markets and cooperatives to ensure they receive fair prices for their produce. Plans for the 2025 season include expanding the program to additional communities and introducing drip irrigation training to help farmers cope with increasingly unpredictable rainfall.
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