Women lead agriculture revolution

In the rolling farmlands of Traditional Authority Kabudula in Lilongwe, a quiet revolution is unfolding. Here, rural women, once trapped in subsistence farming and exploitative markets, are now producing hundreds of metric tonnes of crops, negotiating directly with major processors, and reshaping their economic futures. At the heart of this transformation is the Kabudula Rural Women Cooperative, powered by the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food and Agriculture (Yeffa) Programme and led by women who have learned not just how to farm better, but how to farm with purpose.

“In the past, we used to farm without following any techniques,” says Kabudula Rural Women Cooperative chairperson Sarah Kachedwa. “Now, we harvest more from even small pieces of land. This project has truly changed our lives and our cooperative.” Kachedwa’s words capture a journey that began in uncertainty.

When the cooperative first registered, enthusiasm quickly waned. Members struggled to understand the concept of shareholding, yields were low, and confidence in collective action was fragile. Many women quietly walked away.

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The Yeffa programme marked a turning point. Implemented by the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) with support from Agra and the MasterCard Foundation, Yeffa introduced structured training in Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), climate-resilient farming and cooperative governance. The programme helped women understand that buying shares was not a burden, but an investment in ownership, stability and growth.

“Through the Yeffa project, we received training that helped everyone understand the value of investing in our own future,” Sarah explains. “Today, those same shares are what keep us strong and united.” That unity is now translating into remarkable productivity. In a country where climate shocks have upended traditional farming calendars, Kabudula’s women have learned to farm smarter using improved techniques, planning for markets and aggregating produce strategically.

The results are staggering. In the 2023–2024 season, the cooperative produced just 4 metric tons of soybeans, 6 of maize and 2 of sunflower. This season alone, it has already sold 104 MT of soya beans and expects to reach 400 MT of soya beans, 500 MT of maize and 25 MT of sunflower by season’s end—a tenfold leap in output.

“We used to farm blindly,” Sarah says. “Now, we farm with knowledge, with intention, and with the market in mind. That has changed everything.” Markets, once distant and unforgiving, are now within reach. In March 2025, the cooperative participated in a Yeffa-supported Trade Facilitation Platform in Dowa, an event designed to connect farmer organisations directly with buyers and input suppliers.

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