Industrialisation Drive Puts Women Farmers at the Centre as Government Courts Financiers

 

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Trade, Industrialisation, Business and Tourism, Dr. Bright Molande, has challenged Malawians to back women farmers with practical action, as the country joins the world in marking 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Speaking while addressing different cooperatives showcasing their produce at the 2026 Cooperative Fair at COMESA Hall organized by the Malawi Federation of Cooperatives, Dr. Molande said this season must be different.

“I urge all of us for action in supporting the woman farmer,” he said. “We must raise awareness for women's roles in agri-food processes, from production to processing to trade. This farming year, our job is to elevate women in farming, not just talking about it.”

He called for action and gender-responsive action across government, banks, buyers and cooperatives, and urged the movement to unite and deal with obstacles for cooperatives to achieve their objectives, including access to finance, markets and technology.

Dr. Molande further disclosed that Government has already engaged financial institutions to back the industrialisation drive.

“We have engaged NICO, Press Cooperation and Old Mutual to invest in industrialisation. They are willing, but cooperatives should have viable business plans that would return the investment,” he said. “Women are pivotal in this drive, and their cooperatives must be ready with bankable projects.”

Earlier in the day, Dr. Molande toured exhibition pavilions, including the COMSIP Cooperative Union stand where he appreciated displays of farm produce and value-added products.

UN Women backs the call

The call was reinforced by Anne Lipipa-Chikoko, UN Women Programs Specialist for Women Economic Empowerment, who told the gathering that the United Nations General Assembly has declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer to highlight women's critical roles in agri-food systems and close persistent gender gaps.

“2026 is a female farmer year. We must have women themes in farming in line with the season in our policies, our budgets, and in how cooperatives operate,” Lipapa-Chikoko said.

In a direct call for action, she added: “Women do 70% of the work in small farming and produce up to 80% of household food consumption, yet only 10% access credit. 2026 must change that equation.”

The declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer was led by the United States and co-sponsored by 123 countries to address barriers like land access and financial exclusion and digital divides.

The 2026 Cooperative Fair, held under the theme “Cooperatives Empower Women: Transforming Agri-Food Systems,” has drawn together more than 20 cooperatives, the majority led by women showcasing value-added products.