How Access to Finance is Transforming Farming in Malawi

Fletcher Chinyama, aged 30, is a young farmer from Musa Site in Zomba District, Malawi. His community is located approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Zomba. Fletcher first decided to venture into farming while still in secondary school, defying the belief among many youth in his community that farming is for the elderly or uneducated. For the past four years, he has benefitted from One Acre Fund inputs – such as hybrid maize seed and fertilizer on credit – growing a range of crops including maize and pigeon peas.

“My parents could not provide me with all the money that I could need,” says Fletcher, “I decided to be innovative and find ways how I could support myself – and that’s how I decided to start farming. When I harvest, I could sell the harvest and find money that I could use and purchase all that I wished for in life.”

Fletcher’s enthusiasm for farming is evident in his dedication to developing his skills and knowledge.

“One thing that I like about One Acre Fund is that it has lessened the burden of thinking how I will get the inputs, I get inputs on time and have enough time to repay the loan, which is more convenient to a young farmer like myself who is just starting up farming.”

This season, Fletcher’s goals are closely aligned with One Acre Fund Malawi’s focus on soil health and long-term resilience. He has been an active participant in the Soil Health Campaign, which promotes integrating organic manure and compost alongside fertilizer to restore soil fertility and boost yields. Fletcher sees this as a key step toward sustainable farming and self-reliance.

To complement these efforts, Fletcher has also been an active participant in the tree program, dedicated to environmental conservation through annual tree planting. On average, each participating farmer – including Fletcher – receives around eight trees through this program. He was particularly motivated to begin planting trees after witnessing extreme weather events, including Cyclone Freddy, which wreaked havoc in his community three years ago.

“Recent cyclones hit our community hard, blowing away house roofs and causing damage and I realized the importance of protecting our homes from strong winds and that's why I have planted trees around my house," he explains. "They'll act as a windbreak, reducing the impact and protecting my home. It's a small step, but it makes a big difference."

Through a combination of credit access, soil health practices, and tree planting, Fletcher is building both productivity and resilience on his farm.

Having this additional income source is a blessing to Fletcher as it allows him to offset other expenses within his household. “From the proceeds I get from this business, I’m able to support my household as I can buy some basics to use in my home including relish and soap,” shares Fletcher.

Fletcher has also been reinvesting part of this income into his farming operations, hiring casual laborers to help him complete heavy farm work on time. “I also use the additional money which I get to employ casual labor to help me do some of the heavy work in my farm. This is crucial as at times, I get overwhelmed and wouldn’t be able to get all tasks done on time. Like last farming season, I was able to engage a laborer to the tilling and I paid him 30,000 kwacha [about $17 USD].”

He has also been channeling additional income toward his education, using part of his proceeds to pay tuition and other school-related costs while pursuing a degree in human resources.

Beyond farming, Fletcher diversified his income streams by setting up a mobile money business. The proceeds from farming enabled him to venture into this new endeavor. On any given day, Fletcher's compound buzzes with activity as customers come and go, conducting transactions and exchanging greetings.

"As I’m currently farming on a half-acre farm, I dream of expanding my farm, exploring new opportunities for growth and development," Fletcher shares. "I want to increase my productivity and scale and to achieve this I am to grow crops with high value returns including beans and maize during winter season. I’m committed to environmentally friendly methods that ensure the long-term viability of our land and resources. It's our responsibility to protect the earth for future generations."

While farming remains Fletcher's passion, his entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop there. He has big dreams for his future, extending beyond the fields.

Fletcher hopes for another strong harvest this year and is optimistic that improved soil health will further boost his yields. With these gains, he plans to buy more land and invest in a new business venture.

Fletcher's vision for his transportation business is driven by the potential for growth and financial stability. "Having multiple income streams will give me more security and flexibility," he explains. "I'm excited about the possibilities and look forward to exploring new opportunities."

For Fletcher, good harvests are the key to unlocking these new opportunities. The layered support One Acre Fund provides to young farmers like him in Malawi – through tree planting for windbreaks, crop insurance for climate shocks, and training on good agricultural practices – creates both new avenues for growth and stronger safety nets to build resilience. “If farming does well, I'll have the resources to invest in my transportation business,” he says. “It's all connected – farming, business, and growth.”