CISANET convened district stakeholder engagement meetings in Mchinji and Lilongwe to strengthen market information systems and improve market access for smallholder farmers. The meetings aimed to build stakeholder commitment towards developing effective market information systems while fostering stronger collaboration among district councils, government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and private sector actors in the design, implementation, and long-term sustainability of these systems.
The engagements brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including representatives from the Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa (ACE Africa), NASFAM, the Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC), the Ministries of Agriculture and Trade, Civil Society Organizations, and farmer representatives. The discussions created a platform for participants to share experiences, identify existing challenges, and explore practical solutions for improving farmers’ access to reliable and profitable markets.
A key highlight of the meeting was the emphasis on equipping smallholder farmers with the knowledge and tools needed to access structured markets at both national and international levels. Participants explored how reliable market information can enable farmers to make informed marketing decisions, negotiate better prices, and expand their market opportunities beyond local trading channels.
The Malawi Investment and Trade Centre (MITC) guided participants through the export market identification process, outlining the critical steps involved in preparing agricultural products for international markets. The presentation emphasized the importance of assessing whether a product is competitive enough to meet international demand, conducting thorough market research, and identifying suitable export destinations. It also underscored the value of accurate market information in developing effective market entry strategies and selecting the most appropriate export routes.
In addition, participants were encouraged to consider several factors when selecting export markets, including the target country’s population size, language, political stability, business environment, government system, economic performance, and tax structure. Understanding these factors can help farmers and agribusinesses make informed decisions and improve their chances of succeeding in international trade.
The Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa (ACE Africa) focused on the role of market information systems in enhancing agricultural trade and market access. The presentation highlighted several persistent challenges that continue to limit farmers’ participation in profitable markets. These include the lack of access to real-time market prices, which often forces farmers to sell their produce at farm gate prices without knowing prevailing market rates, thereby weakening their bargaining position and increasing their vulnerability to exploitation by middlemen.
Other challenges discussed included inadequate market information infrastructure within district trade offices, limiting the availability of timely information and advisory services for farmers, as well as weak collective bargaining power resulting from limited farmer aggregation and cooperative structures. These constraints make it difficult for individual farmers to negotiate favourable prices.
Participants also learned how effective market information systems can transform agricultural marketing by providing timely and accurate price information, connecting buyers and sellers, facilitating transparent trade, and improving access to higher-value markets. Strengthening these systems is expected to promote inclusive agricultural trade, increase farmers’ incomes, and create a more efficient and competitive agricultural marketing environment.
The meetings reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, the private sector, development partners, and farmer organizations in building sustainable market information systems. Through coordinated efforts and improved access to market intelligence, smallholder farmers can become more competitive, better connected to structured markets, and more resilient in an increasingly dynamic agricultural economy.