Implemented by NIRAS with inputs from Swisscontact since 2019, CASA Malawi works with agri-SME partners in the Aquaculture and Poultry value chains, including potential investors, agri-processors, feed suppliers, meat processors and sale outlets.

With Poultry partners, CASA Malawi’s approach is to bring about a structured, competitive and inclusive poultry sector expansion through enhanced public and private investments in agri-SMEs and smallholder farmers to ensure increased production and supply of quality poultry through a structured supply chain. Working with partners in the Poultry value chain, CASA Malawi drives inclusive commercialisation by linking smallholder farmers to markets through increased investments in agri-SMEs and improved access to productive inputs through the linkages.

Under Aquaculture, CASA Malawi’s focus is to drive investment into the value chain targeting agri-SMEs and smallholder farmers with the aim of increasing access to high quality inputs, (e.g., fingerlings, feed, and technical advice) with the aim of increasing profit among the agri-SMEs and improving smallholder farmer incomes, while making the whole value chain more climate resilient. To achieve this, CASA Malawi is working with partners to pilot a variety of business models such as a blend between pay-as-you grow input credit and out-grower models by Nkhotakota Steadfast Cooperation for Youth (NS4Y), and the lead farmer model as a distribution channel for fingerlings and aggregation of table-sized fish with Aquaponics for Life. In addition, Mlimi Pay and Telen Agro are piloting a lay-by scheme for purchasing inputs which is aided by digital financial technology utilised for payments, coordinating delivery inputs and accessing technical advice, while Aqualink is piloting the use of black soldier fly as a protein source in fish and poultry feed.