This Malawi component of the AFAP-APAC Program is implemented in Traditional Authority Masasa in Ntcheu District by Concern Universal Malawi. Within the food security objective, the project implements a number of activities related to crop production, livestock management, soil and water conservation, aquaculture and, on a smaller scale, facilitation of access to markets for lead farmers. Crop production and diversification activities include distribution of seed (maize, groundnuts, soybeans, horticultural crops, beans and rice) and promotion of small-scale irrigation. Under the livestock management activities the project manages a “pass-on” scheme involving goats, pigs and chickens and assists farmers with de-worming, vaccination and general livestock management capacity enhancement.

To ensure continuity at village level veterinary services, the project is supporting identification and training of village-level livestock technicians on diagnosis and treatment of minor livestock diseases in the impact area. The livestock technicians work hand-in-hand with government veterinary extension workers.

The project promotes fish farming through integrated aquaculture – agriculture-livestock systems. Within this system water from fishponds is utilised for irrigation while manure from livestock is used to fertilize fish-ponds. The project is also implementing soil and water conservation activities which include agro-forestry, planting of fruit trees, making and use of compost manure, construction of contour ridges, protection of bare hills through reforestation and homestead tree planting.

As food security can also be addressed by increasing household disposable income, the project has started linking lead farmers with local and national markets through creation of farmers associations.

In water and sanitation, the project provides and rehabilitates boreholes, and protects shallow wells for the community. The community selects sites for new water points, elects a committee to oversee operations and maintenance while the project builds capacity of the committee in group dynamics and leadership. For the actual maintenance of the water points the project trains village technicians who are responsible for routine maintenance. It has initiated contacts with local traders for procurement, supply and distribution of spares parts of water points.  The health component of the project mobilises communities to construct demonstration latrines at central gathering places for each group village.

During the construction of toilets, to provide ownership, the communities contribute sand, bricks, quarry stones and labour, whilst the project provides reinforcement wire, paint, cement, doors and iron sheets for roofing. The project conducts education campaigns on prevention of cholera, diarrhoea, and Bilharzia prior to the rainy season.

On HIV and AIDS, the project conducts awareness campaigns on prevention of HIV infection, on HIV Testing and Counselling and the use of anti retroviral drugs. It also mobilizes People Living with HIV and AIDS and youths into support groups and youth clubs, respectively, who are then supported with food security and income generating activities to prevent HIV infection and mitigate negative impacts.

In the area of HIV infection and gender-based violence, it has initiated discussions with local stakeholders on how to tackle harmful practices that increase the spread of HIV and AIDS, particularly amongst women and girls.

The project implements a malaria prevention strategy to prevent and reduce the incidences of malaria, promote the use and distribution of insecticide treated nets (ITNs) to households. To facilitate demand it has linked the ITN committees to Population Services International through the District Health Office, for sustainability.

Capacity building is a cornerstone of the project targeting government and NGO staff and community level institutions. Through this project, seven community based organizations (CBOs) have been established and supported with training to strengthen their capacity. Through the capacity enhancement program, two CBOs have successfully diversified their donor base. Various committees are being formed and strengthened to ensure effective delivery of project activities. The section also supports District-level government officers in capacity enhancement and once-off support for the district assembly.