<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em>5th December 2025,</em></span></strong> a&nbsp;major milestone in Malawi’s fight against food insecurity was marked today&nbsp;as stakeholders from across the country convened at the Bingu International Convention Centre for the official launch of the Integrating Aquaculture-Agriculture to Combat Food Insecurity in Malawi <strong>(IAAM) </strong>Project.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The initiative, implemented by CDF Canada with support from the Government of Norway, is being carried out in cooperation with the Government of Malawi and key implementing partners including the Malawi Federation of Cooperatives <strong>(MAFECO)</strong>, Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives <strong>(MUSCCO)</strong>, Community Agribusiness Partners <strong>(CAP)</strong>, Women’s Legal Resources Centre <strong>(WOLREC)</strong>, and Awfishnet Malawi Chapter.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Showcasing Innovation</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Guest of Honor Dr. Julius Chulu, Ministry of Agriculture, Director of Livestock and Animal Health, toured project pavilions that featured practical demonstrations of Integrated Aquaculture–Agriculture Systems (IAAS). The exhibits offered participants a firsthand look at how aquaculture and agriculture can be combined to maximize resources and strengthen food systems.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Voices of Commitment</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Ben André, Executive Director of CDF Canada, commended Malawi’s strong commitment to the project, noting the enthusiasm of communities and institutions to embrace the innovation.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Her Excellency Anne Sofie Bjelland, Ambassador of Norway, reaffirmed Norway’s dedication to supporting food security and resilience. She emphasized that integrating aquaculture and agriculture provides farmers with opportunities to diversify, adapt to climate change, and secure sustainable livelihoods.<br />In his keynote address, Dr. Chulu underscored the transformative potential of IAAS:</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">He further pledged the Ministry’s continued support for programs that enhance diversification, commercialization, and value addition for small-scale producers</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Empowering Farmers</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">A highlight of the launch was the unveiling of the Integrated Aquaculture-Agriculture Systems Handbook. This new training tool is designed to equip farmers, cooperatives, and extension workers—particularly women—with practical knowledge to adopt IAAS, improve productivity, and build resilience.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Looking Ahead</strong><br />The IAAM Project will run for four years, aiming to empower small-scale producers, strengthen cooperatives, and advance sustainable food systems across Malawi.</p>
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