Blantyre Agricultural Development Division - BLADD

18/09/2026

AGRICULTURAL FRONTLINE STAFF DRILLED ON AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT APPROACHES


Blantyre Agricultural Development Division (ADD) Chief Agriculture Extension Officer, Getrude Kumwenda, has applauded frontline agriculture staff at Kamwendo Extension Planning Area (EPA) in Mulanje District for their hard work in supporting farmers with various farming technologies aimed at increasing agricultural productivity.

Kumwenda made the remarks today during a fortnight training session backstopping exercise held at Kamwendo EPA, where agriculture staff were trained and refreshed on several agricultural development approaches.

She commended the frontline staff for their commitment to helping farmers adopt improved farming technologies and practices despite the challenges they face in their day-to-day work.
Kumwenda further emphasized the importance of conducting frequent training sessions for agriculture staff, saying such sessions help refresh their knowledge and equip them with new skills that can be passed on to farmers.

“Frequent training sessions are very important because they help to refresh the knowledge of agriculture staff. Agriculture is continuously changing, and our staff need to remain updated so that they can effectively support farmers,” Kumwenda said.
During the backstopping exercise, ADD staff covered a number of topics, including Smallholder Farmer Aggregation Models, Value Chain Management, Gender Balance, Vision Mapping and Agrilab processes.

The training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of frontline agriculture staff so that they can effectively deliver extension services and assist farmers in improving production, marketing and household livelihoods.

The Agriculture Extension Development Officer (AEDO) for Kamwendo EPA Symon Bauleni thanked the Blantyre ADD staff for conducting the training, saying the knowledge gained would improve the EPA's ability to support farmers.

“We are grateful to the ADD staff for coming to Kamwendo EPA to train and backstop us on these important areas. The knowledge we have gained on smallholder farmer aggregation models, value chain management, gender balance, vision mapping and Agrilab processes will help us in assisting farmers in our EPA,” Bauleni said.

The fortnight training session is part of efforts by the agricultural extension system to strengthen the knowledge and skills of frontline staff and improve the delivery of agricultural services to farming communities.

By: Edgar Nalivata- BLADD Communications.

03/09/2026

BLADD UPDATES



Phalombe District Council Integrated Catchment Management (ICM) and Irrigation Launch.

02/09/2026

Thuchira RTC Farm ikugulitsa mbeu ya Nthochi. Mukafuna mbeu ya Nthochi yabwino yopanda matenda ndi ya thanzi kaguleni ku Thuchira RTC Farm yomwe ili ku Mulanje mphepete mwa mseu wa Midima pafupi ndi Nkando Trading Centre.

26/08/2026

ZOKONZEKERA ZONSE ZA CHIONETSERO CHA ZAULIMI ZILI MCHIMAKE



Njira zonse mawa zikhala zikulunjika ku Chionetsero cha zaulimi chomwe chichitike ku Chichiri Trade Fair mu mzinda wa Blantyre

Malinga ndi uthenga womwe Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) atulutsa ati chionetserochi chiyamba mawa lachinayi pa 27 August, 2026 ndikudza loweruka pa 29 August, 2026.

Pakadali pano zokonzekera zonse zatha ndipo chilichonse chi mchimake kuyembekeza mawa pomwe nduna ya Zamalimidwe, ulimi othilira ndi chitukuko cha madzi Hon. Roza Mbirizi MP akhale akutsegulira chionetserochi.

Chionetsero chimenechi ndi cha nambala 22.

Wolemba: Edgar Nalivata (BLADD Communications)

25/08/2026

ZOKONZEKERA ZA CHIONETSERO CHA ZAULIMI ZILIMKATI



Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) ikhala ikuchititsa chionetsero cha Zaulimi cha nambala 22 ku bwalo la Trade Fair ku Chichiri, m'boma la Blantyre.

Malinga ndi uthenga omwe bungweli tatulutsa wati Chionetserochi chomwe chimatchedwa National Agriculture Fair m'chingelezi chiyamba lachinayi pa 27 August, 2026 ndikudzatha loweruka pa 29 August, 2026.

Nduna ya zamalimidwe, ulimi othilira ndi chitukuko cha madzi Hon. Roza Mbirizi MP ndiwo akuyembekezeka kudzatsegulira chionetserochi pa 27 August, 2026.

Pakadali pano zokonzekera zili mkati ndipo makampani ndi alimi ochokera mmaiko osiyanasiyana ndi amene akhale akudzaonetsa katundu osiyanasiyana ku chionetsero chimenechi cha zaulimi.

Wolemba: Edgar Nalivata (BLADD Communications)

17/08/2026

BLANTYRE ADD UPDATES!

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NENO IKHAZIKITSA NTCHITO YOBWEZERETSA CHILENGEDWE NDI ULIMI WAMTHILIRA

06/07/2026

05/07/2026

MWAMBO OKHAZIKITSA NTCHITO YOSAMALIRA CHILENGEDWE NDI ULIMI OTHILIRA M'BOMA LA THYOLO

01/07/2026

BLADD OFFICIALS BRIEFED ON GI SYSTEMS



The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), through the Ecosystem-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM) Project, on Tuesday, 30th June 2026, briefed Blantyre Agricultural Development Division (ADD) officials on the newly introduced Geographical Indication (GI) System, which identifies a product as originating from a particular region, locality, or country where the product’s quality, reputation, or other characteristics are mainly due to its geographical origin.

Ben Vickers, the Chief Technical Advisor at FAO Malawi, said their visit to Blantyre ADD is part of a series of meetings with experts on GIs, since it is a new concept that has been introduced in the Southern Africa region, particularly in Malawi.

“We are exploring the potential to establish a Geographical Indication system aligned with the EbAM project objectives. We will support the development of value-chain products unique to Malawi by recognizing them and strengthening brand recognition for these Malawi-specific products. We can also build on existing Government of Malawi initiatives to secure stronger, more sustainable access to external markets,” said Vickers.

The Chief Technical Advisor added that with GI, Malawi’s products will gain international recognition and the country will be identified with specific flagship products.

Ben also urged consumers in Malawi to take pride in locally produced goods, highlighting their quality and distinctiveness, rather than choosing imported products.

Geoffrey Maloni, Deputy Program Manager for Blantyre ADD, commended FAO through EbAM for introducing the GI system in Malawi, particularly in the Blantyre ADD districts of Mwanza, Neno, and Thyolo. He noted that GI registration will make it easier for farmers to enter international markets and improve their incomes. He also said the system will push farmers to produce higher-quality goods to meet international demand.

Henry Chabira, Director of the Mwanza-Neno Agro-Traders Association, thanked FAO for introducing the GI system concept in Malawi. According to Chabira, this will open opportunities for local traders to access international markets and generate much-needed foreign exchange for the country.

Chabira added that the Association will encourage its members to register with the Geographical Indications system to ensure their products are recognized and protected in international markets.

FAO is implementing a six-year project called the Ecosystems-based Adaptation for Resilient Watersheds and Communities in Malawi (EbAM) project in the Mwanza, Neno, and Thyolo districts under Blantyre ADD. The project aims to enhance the climate resilience of rural communities in Malawi by promoting an ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) approach integrated with landscape-level watershed management.

Report By: Edgar Nalivata- BLADD Communication.