Project
Background
The Second Agricultural Sector Wide Approach Support Project (ASWAp-SP II) is a follow up to ASWAp-SP I that was implemented between 2014 and 2016. The project was declared effective on 25th April 2018. The project is currently being financed by five donors namely the EU, Irish Aid, Flanders, USAID and Norway as a Multi Donor Trust Fund managed by the World Bank. So far, only three donors have pumped in their contributions, namely EU, Irish Aid and Flanders, however, there is also commitment from the USAID and Norway to support the project. The original closing period was 31st December 2019, however it has been extended to December 2021 following additional commitments from USAID and Norway.
Project Development Objective
The development objective of the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach-Support Project II is to improve the productivity and market access of selected commodities for small-holder farmers in targeted districts of Malawi.
Project Coverage
ASWAp-SP II targets 300,000 rural households in 12 districts namely; Chitipa, Mzimba, Kasungu, Mchinji, Ntchisi, Lilongwe, Dedza, Ntcheu, Zomba, Phalombe, Mulanje and Thyolo.
Project Beneficiaries
- Smallholder farmers and local communities who will benefit from improved agricultural interventions and jobs
- Road users from improved road infrastructure
- Staff trained
- Institutions including MoAIWD, Roads Authority (RA), District Councils and the construction industry.
Cross Cutting Issues
The project mainstreams gender, nutrition, climate smart agriculture and resilience throughout its components. Regarding gender, the project helps in closing the gender gaps in the areas of productivity and access to agriculture inputs and services. Gender mainstreaming in the project is therefore guided by the gender and HIV/AIDS strategy for the agriculture sector.
