The overall objective of Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (ASWAp) and Greenbelt Initiative (GBI) is to contribute to Malawi Government’s objective of poverty reduction in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS).
It aspires to increase agricultural productivity and food security of rural communities through improvement of systems and processes, strengthening the implementation capacities and delivery of inputs to final beneficiaries.
The initial financing agreement, amounting to €97, 843, 000, was signed in October 2012 However, in October 2013, the agreement was revised to €103, 943, 000. The period was also revised to 96 months. In April 2017, the duration was further extended to 120 months.
ASWAp has three pillars: food security and risk management, agribusiness, agro-processing and market development and sustainable land and water management.
Implementation of the programme is expected to strengthen systems and procedures for ASWAp and mitigate food security risks through improved use of existing risk management systems. It is also expected that the programme will establish National Irrigation Fund, as well as improve farmers’ access to irrigated agriculture.
