The Ulimi ndi Chilengedwe m’Malawi (UCHI) Programme is a multi-year initiative (2022–2028) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Government of Malawi, UNICEF, LUANAR, district councils, and other technical partners, with funding from the European Union (approx. €60 million). The programme aims to transform Malawi’s food systems by promoting sustainable and inclusive agricultural commercialisation, restoration of natural ecosystems, improved nutrition, and strengthened climate resilience. It targets over 80,000 households (approximately 400,000 people) in 17 districts across Malawi, supporting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses through strengthened value chains (including banana, soybean, rice, aquaculture, and apiculture), improved access to markets and finance, land restoration, and climate-smart agricultural practices.
Imani Consultants Ltd was contracted by UNDP Malawi to conduct an assessment and profile Farmer Organisations (FOs) and MSEs for the Ulimi ndi Chilengendwe (UCHI) project. This included assessing, categorizing, and profiling 295 FOs and MSEs across 10 districts (Chitipa, Karonga, Mzimba, Nkhata Bay, Kasungu, Salima, Nkhotakhota, Chiradzulu, Thyolo, and Mulanje) with a team comprising four field supervisors, 16 enumerators. The assignment focused on five value chains: rice, soybean, banana, aquaculture (ponds and cages), and apiculture. Field visits were conducted to verify entities listed in the 2023 FAO database and collect data on organizational and production capacities, business models, financial health, value chain linkages, and adoption of sustainable agronomic practices.