National Learning Alliance – Malawi

The Malawi National Learning Alliance (NLA) is hosted by the . The facilitation team includes experts from LUANAR, the University of Malawi, the Government of Malawi and the media.

The Malawi NLA has focused its work on the SAIRLA themes around priority issues for the country’s agriculture sector identified by members.  It works closely with SAIRLA’s four research projects in Malawi to engage decision makers on SAI evidence and tools under the themes of;

1.  EQUITY: Land tenure,

2. TRADE-OFFS: the future of small-holder farmers,

3. SERVICES: Agricultural extension

2019 activities include;

•  Review of evidence and inclusive engagement of stakeholders on land tenure issues in Malawi to help inform land policy processes in the country including the National land conference in August. Evidence is being derived by the NLA in collaboration with LandNet from district and community level consultations in areas where the Customary Land Act 2016 is being piloted and from a review of relevant literature, including from SAIRLA research project Afrint IV.
•  Design and delivery of training on the use of evidence in decision making: for students, members of parliament, civil servants and elected representatives; and for the media. The focus will be on the issue of the future of small holder farmers in Malawi and will draw on SAIRLA research projects as case studies, and in particular the SITAM project.
•  Work with the Government of Malawi Department for Agriculture Extension Services (DAES) to finalise the review of the Extension Strategy
• Design and delivery of a district level extension capacity assessment and pilot assistance package in collaboration with the DAES and the EU Kulima Programme with a focus on operationalisation of the DAESS District Agricultural Extension Services System (the DAESS).
• Dissemination meetings and events to share the findings of  the SAIRLA research projects in Malawi  with key decision makers including;

o   Tools for achieving equitable benefits for SAI

o   Training  on the Replicable Business Model (RBM) tool for better understanding of small holder risk management