About Us
OUR BACKGROUND
The Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) is the national umbrella body for Agricultural Advisory Services (AAS) in Malawi. Established in 2010, MaFAAS works in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Agricultural Extension Services to ensure standardization and professionalism in agricultural extension service delivery to farmers across the country.
Contact UsOur Core Objectives
Strengthen Knowledge Management
- Disseminating best practices.
- Documenting available technologies.
- Promoting partnerships with key stakeholders.
- Adding value to ongoing AEAS initiatives.
Build Member Capacity
- Promoting institutional capacity building.
- Enhancing the professional growth of AEAS providers.
- Providing advanced training programs for members.
Influence Policies & Programs
- Documenting advisory service policies in Malawi.
- Identifying and supporting operational research.
- Coordinating donor efforts and investments in AEAS.
OUR MISSION AND VISION
Mission: To create harmonization, ensure standardization, and add value to initiatives in agricultural advisory services.
Vision: To be the leading organization in promoting agricultural advisory excellence in Malawi.
Our Core Values
We are guided by the following core values:
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Transparency and Accountability
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Impartiality and Professionalism
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Coalition Building
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Evidence-Based Decision Making
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Empowerment and Participatory Approach
Membership
Membership in MaFAAS is open to both public and private sector providers of agricultural advisory services. This includes government departments, civil society organizations (such as NGOs and farmer organizations), agricultural training institutions (universities and colleges), financial institutions, media, research institutions, agro-processors, farmers, input and produce traders, and transporters.
Overall Activities
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Identifying gaps in extension policy through capacity needs assessments.
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Providing training to MaFAAS members on extension service delivery.
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Establishing linkages between the government and the private sector in agricultural extension.
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Conducting policy reviews and advocating for improved extension policies.
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Promoting policy briefs through district-level dialogues with extension officers and last-mile stakeholders.
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Facilitating national training on knowledge management.
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Identifying and recognizing innovations that promote climate-smart agriculture.
The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee was established in 2008 during a stakeholders' workshop. Today, MaFAAS comprises over 70 committed organizations that actively participate in the forum's various activities. Prominent members include the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), Self Help Africa, the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (NASFAM), the Greenbelt Initiative, Farm Radio Trust, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Flemish Government, Care Malawi, the Farmers Union of Malawi, the Agricultural Commodity Exchange, and World Vision.
While MaFAAS is currently finalizing its formal registration as a legal entity, the forum operates under a robust strategic plan validated by stakeholders during the July 2012 General Assembly. This strategic plan focuses on:
- Establishing institutional structures.
- Resource mobilization.
- Standardization, quality assurance, and capacity building.
- Networking, coordination, research, and knowledge management.
- Advocacy, lobbying, and crosscutting issues.
- Publicity and communication.