Smallholder farmers in Mzimba are bracing for a major shift in how they sell and care for their animals, after new livestock infrastructure was officially handed over in the district.
The facilities, comprising a new cattle market, a rehabilitated veterinary assistant’s house and a refurbished dip tank, were commissioned at Manyamula Extension Planning Area (EPA) by Heifer International, under the K60 million GAIN Project funded by the Government of Flanders.
The development expected to unlock better prices, stronger animal health services and improved rural incomes, with authorities saying it will cut long distances to markets, reduce livestock diseases and strengthen farmers’ bargaining power in rural value chains.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Heifer International Board Chairperson Tamani Nkhono Mvura said the organisation remains committed to empowering rural farmers to achieve economic independence by addressing long standing challenges affecting agricultural productivity and market participation.
Mvura noted that despite years of investment in agriculture, many smallholder farmers continue to struggle with inconsistent market access and weak cooperative structures, limiting their ability to secure better prices and access financial services.
He said the GAIN Project has focused on strengthening farmer cooperatives and equipping producers with value-addition skills to improve their competitiveness and profitability.
“Through this project, we have reached 7,000 households involved in livestock farming in Mzimba and another 7,000 households engaged in groundnut production in Kasungu. We are helping farmers strengthen their cooperatives, access reliable markets, and connect with financial institutions so they can grow sustainable businesses,” said Mvura.
He added that investment in livestock infrastructure is critical to transforming rural economies, as it creates opportunities for farmers to trade animals in organised markets while ensuring effective animal health management.
Manyamula Ward Councillor Cosmas Mtonga commended Heifer International for the investment, describing the new cattle market as a game changer for local farmers.
According to Mtonga, many farmers have often been forced to rely on middlemen who purchase livestock at low prices, thereby reducing their potential earnings.
“This market will provide a formal and accessible trading space where farmers can negotiate better prices for their cattle. It will increase incomes and improve livelihoods for many families in this area,” he said.
Members of local cooperatives also expressed optimism about the impact of the new facilities.
Leonard Nyirenda, a member of Chizumae Cooperative, said the intervention has already begun transforming the lives of farmers through training, improved infrastructure, and collective marketing.
Nyirenda said the cooperative’s 354 members collectively own approximately 14,000 cattle and have experienced significant improvements in their ability to market livestock and generate income.
“The support we have received has strengthened our cooperative and enhanced our bargaining power. With the new cattle market and other facilities, we expect even greater benefits for our members and future generations,” he said.
Under the GAIN Project, Heifer International seeks to promote inclusive agricultural growth, strengthen farmer led enterprises, and create sustainable pathways out of poverty for rural communities across Malawi.
