NAMA launches 3-year mushroom farming program to empower 900 rural women in Malawi

NAMA, in collaboration with Zayane Creations Trust, launched a three-year scheme to foster new agricultural livelihoods for rural women.

The three-year scheme, recently introduced in Lilongwe, Malawi aims to equip 900 women with technical instruction, funding knowledge, and entrepreneurial expertise centred on mushroom farming. Organised by Nama Women Advancement (NAMA) alongside Zayane Creations Trust, the programme targets greater economic and social participation for women, contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Planned for the 2025–2028 period, the project will facilitate the formation of 45 agricultural collectives led by women—rolling out 15 groups annually, each comprising 20 members. This structure anticipates indirect benefits for approximately 4,500 people—an estimate rooted in average household composition—by widening market access, raising incomes, and encouraging more adaptive business approaches.

Persistent economic and social barriers continue to affect rural Malawian women, especially where agriculture supports 84 per cent of the population and poverty rates remain high. Organisers point out that women's restricted access to education and economic participation underscores the significance of targeted empowerment strategies in driving community advancement.

Beyond group creation, the programme will establish five business hubs in rural settings. These centres will deliver wide-ranging courses in business strategy, financial oversight, marketing tactics, and market assessment, intending to elevate agricultural product quality and solidify market pathways for women producers.

Environmental considerations feature prominently, with the adoption of drought-adapted irrigation techniques for mushroom production expected to reduce water needs. The initiative also promotes advances in product processing and sales, expansion of greenhouse infrastructure, and the setting up of growth hubs, all intended to spur rural employment and nurture alternative agricultural supply chains.

Mariam Al Hammadi, Director General of NAMA, remarked at the inauguration: “Our strategy to improve the lives of women in disadvantaged communities focuses on sustainable development and investing in local potential. Through years of experience, we’ve seen that long-term commitment delivers more lasting impact than short-term solutions. Our role is to create environments that help women approach challenges differently and access real opportunities using their own skills, knowledge, and experience.”

Partnership between NAMA and Zayane Creations Trust reflects a global drive to broaden women’s roles, support family and community leadership, and foster resilient agricultural businesses. According to project organisers, effective integration of women into structured market frameworks is projected to deliver steady income sources. The project is presented as a prototype for similar efforts that could be transferred to other rural districts.