295
25.3.3 Unipolar Partnership Model: Malawi
Project implementation in Malawi began in the last quarter of 2017. The processes
that have thus far taken place have drawn lessons from the Zambian and Zimbabwean
consortiums, as summarised in Table 25.2. As the partnership unfolds, there are
some insights for consideration in Malawi listed below, particularly for the National
Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM):
(i) Beyond moral persuasion, the opportunity for continuous scaling up of CSA
on a sustained basis increases when there are stakeholders who have well
defined economic interests and a sound business case to engage in scaling up
efforts (i.e., the private sector).
(ii) Strong, vibrant partnerships require transparency, trust, shared influence and
decision-making, mutual benefits (economic interests), commitment, recognition of partners’ specialised roles and profit sharing.
(iii) Champions are needed to rally the private sector to develop market-driven climate resilient solutions; the government to create an enabling environment;
and the farming community to raise awareness of CSA benefits. Strategically
placed individuals or institutions in the climate change/agriculture/food security nexus are best suited to act as champions.
(iv) Using field based agricultural extension staff helps the case for scaling up climate resilient solutions. For this to be effective there is need to build capacity
of the field staff in key technical areas related to CSA. In the case of NASFAM,
this entails building the capacity of Association Field Officers in weather index
insurance, drought tolerant seeds and ICT-enabled weather information
services.
25.4 Implications for Development
The identification of the “best partnership type” for scaling up CSA in southern
Africa is not yet conclusive, however some preliminary lessons for successful partnerships can be drawn: they must be inclusive and participatory, have clear mutual
benefits, and ensure transparency in project operations. Other enabling factors
needed for success include:
1. Private sector involvement: Bringing non-state actors on board effectively
improves the chances of successfully scaling up proven innovations (such as
CSA) in a sustainable manner. In Zimbabwe, farmers outside the ZFU project
have access to similar innovations as the ZFU-EcoFarmer combo because Econet
Wireless––as a private commercial entity––is working nationally. In Zambia,
PICZ facilitates access to weather index insurance for farmers in the CTA project
areas and nationally. Both the Zimbabwe and Zambia case studies show that
25 Innovative Partnerships to Scale Up Climate-Smart Agriculture for Smallholder…
25.3.3 Unipolar Partnership Model: Malawi
Project implementation in Malawi began in the last quarter of 2017. The processes
that have thus far taken place have drawn lessons from the Zambian and Zimbabwean
consortiums, as summarised in Table 25.2. As the partnership unfolds, there are
some insights for consideration in Malawi listed below, particularly for the National
Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM):
(i) Beyond moral persuasion, the opportunity for continuous scaling up of CSA
on a sustained basis increases when there are stakeholders who have well
defined economic interests and a sound business case to engage in scaling up
efforts (i.e., the private sector).
(ii) Strong, vibrant partnerships require transparency, trust, shared influence and
decision-making, mutual benefits (economic interests), commitment, recognition of partners’ specialised roles and profit sharing.
(iii) Champions are needed to rally the private sector to develop market-driven climate resilient solutions; the government to create an enabling environment;
and the farming community to raise awareness of CSA benefits. Strategically
placed individuals or institutions in the climate change/agriculture/food security nexus are best suited to act as champions.
(iv) Using field based agricultural extension staff helps the case for scaling up climate resilient solutions. For this to be effective there is need to build capacity
of the field staff in key technical areas related to CSA. In the case of NASFAM,
this entails building the capacity of Association Field Officers in weather index
insurance, drought tolerant seeds and ICT-enabled weather information
services.
25.4 Implications for Development
The identification of the “best partnership type” for scaling up CSA in southern
Africa is not yet conclusive, however some preliminary lessons for successful partnerships can be drawn: they must be inclusive and participatory, have clear mutual
benefits, and ensure transparency in project operations. Other enabling factors
needed for success include:
1. Private sector involvement: Bringing non-state actors on board effectively
improves the chances of successfully scaling up proven innovations (such as
CSA) in a sustainable manner. In Zimbabwe, farmers outside the ZFU project
have access to similar innovations as the ZFU-EcoFarmer combo because Econet
Wireless––as a private commercial entity––is working nationally. In Zambia,
PICZ facilitates access to weather index insurance for farmers in the CTA project
areas and nationally. Both the Zimbabwe and Zambia case studies show that
25 Innovative Partnerships to Scale Up Climate-Smart Agriculture for Smallholder…