Farmers trained in financial management

Representatives from twelve Producer Organisations (POs) in Lilongwe, Kasungu, Mchinji, and Nkhatabay participated in a comprehensive training program that covered essential skills in bookkeeping, accounting, financing, resource mobilization, and procurement procedures held from May 12 to 17, 2025, in Mponela, Dowa 

These POs or farmer groups have been selected as recipients of matching grants under the AGCOM 2 program. 
Through the training, participants have been skilled to properly manage financial support that they will soon receive to enhance their agricultural activities, improve productivity, and strengthen their farming business operations. 

Speaking when he visited the training participants, Director of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), Cooperatives and Value Addition in the Ministry of Trade and Industry Limbikani Kachiwaya says the training is crucial to the farmer groups as it equips their leadership with financial management skills before receiving matching grants from AGCOM 2. 

"This training is very important. It will help the farmers to acquire skills on how to properly manage the resources which they will receive from the AGCOM 2 and successfully implement their sub projects", he said. 
Kachiwaya highlighted that the bookkeeping, accounting, and procurement skills gained through the training will play a crucial role in safeguarding the resources allocated to the POs.

One of the participants Sakirani Chirwa of Senjere Cooperative from Nkhatabay concedes that they were previously managing finances without following any procedures and that the skills acquired through the training will help them to properly manage their finances and other resources.

Angella Hastings of Kachere Farmers Club in Lilongwe described the training as an eye opener, emphasizing that it has provided valuable insights into financial management. She noted that the knowledge gained will enhance the responsible use of financial resources and foster transparency within their group.

At the end of the training, the Agribusiness Officers, Technical Implementation Support Brokers and selected members are expected to develop action plans for day today handholding of the POs with regard to bookkeeping accounting and procurement.