Evangelical Association of Malawi (EAM), through the Kulima Better project, on Saturday handed over 60 bicycles to village savings and loans agents from all 10 traditional authorities across the district to boost the saving culture and extension services.
Speaking during the donation, EAM project district field officer Luster Mkandawanji said the project observed that most interventions fail to materialise due to logistical challenges between extension agents and beneficiary households.
He said the bicycles, which will remain with the community members after the project in 2022, will enhance project sustainability.
“The project seeks to transform smallholder farmers into business oriented farmers through savings and loans,” said Mkandawanji.
Receiving the bicycles on behalf of Salima District Council, Salima district commissioner (DC) Charles Mwawembe thanked EAM for the donation.
He said village savings and loans have become a convenient way of accessing relief financial assistance for people’s day-to-day operations.
The project, funded by the European Union, targets about 35 251 smallholder farmers with interventions in agri-business, catchment area management as well as improved farming technologies.
