Malawian Chili Farmers Find Strength in Numbers

Malawian farmer Violet Mponda used to sell her chili peppers to local buyers for less than 50 cents per pound. Other area chili farmers did too, and all of them just couldn't come close to earning enough money for a decent life. Then they learned about a Catholic Relief Services-led program that showed them they can have strength in numbers. The Wellness and Agriculture for Life Advancement project helped them form marketing clusters, groups of 100 to 150 farmers that can attract bulk buyers and bargain for better produce prices. With increased profits, farmers like Violet can now invest in fertilizer and diversify their crops, which translates into a more sustainable income and increased financial security for them and their families. The project is expected to provide nutritious food to 215,000 rural families and help 25,000 farmers learn to treat farming as a business.