Malawi’s NASFAM wins 100,000 USD Norwegian prize

Malawi’s NASFAM wins 100,000 USD Norwegian prize

By NYASA TIMES: 21 July 2009

Norway’s Yara Foundation says a Malawian farmers’ group and  a Kenyan banker have won its annual prize promoting former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call for a green revolution in Africa.

The foundation says the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi  and  Kenya’s Equity Bank chairman Peter Munga will share the award honoring “significant contributions to the reduction of hunger and poverty in Africa.”

The foundation said Tuesday the 2009 prize recognizes Malawi association’s promotion of “farming as a viable business among smallholder farmers” and Munga’s “dedication to the unbanked poor” in his homeland.

NASFAM has been equally dynamic, bringing together farmers, providing the necessary extension services and promoting farming as a viable business among smallholder farmers – most of whom are women.

The organisation’s  work has been credited with playing a key role in achieving Malawi’s recent progress. It has given farmers an effective voice in policy negotiations, built their commercial capacity, catalyzed the development of a successful agricultural commodity exchange and promoted the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

“Making progress against some of the world’s most ambitious development goals starts with the smallholder farmer. Both Equity Bank and NASFAM are prime examples of a locally driven value chain approach that engages farmers directly, increases their yield and improves access to markets,” Arne Cartridge, Secretary General of the Yara Foundation says.

“Both of the winners of this year’s Yara Prizen deserve praise and recognition for helping to innovatively strengthen agricultural value chains and increase Africa’s food security.”

The Prize consists of a USD 100,000 endowment, a crystal trophy and a diploma to be received by each laureate.

Representatives of NASFAM and Munga will receive their awards on 5 September 2009 in Oslo, Norway, at an award ceremony hosted by the Yara Foundation.

 Norway’s Yara Foundation says a Malawian farmers’ group and  a Kenyan banker have won its annual prize promoting former U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s call for a green revolution in Africa.

The foundation says the National Smallholder Farmers’ Association of Malawi  and  Kenya’s Equity Bank chairman Peter Munga will share the award honoring “significant contributions to the reduction of hunger and poverty in Africa.”

The foundation said Tuesday the 2009 prize recognizes Malawi association’s promotion of “farming as a viable business among smallholder farmers” and Munga’s “dedication to the unbanked poor” in his homeland.

NASFAM has been equally dynamic, bringing together farmers, providing the necessary extension services and promoting farming as a viable business among smallholder farmers – most of whom are women.

The organisation’s  work has been credited with playing a key role in achieving Malawi’s recent progress. It has given farmers an effective voice in policy negotiations, built their commercial capacity, catalyzed the development of a successful agricultural commodity exchange and promoted the use of sustainable agricultural practices.

“Making progress against some of the world’s most ambitious development goals starts with the smallholder farmer. Both Equity Bank and NASFAM are prime examples of a locally driven value chain approach that engages farmers directly, increases their yield and improves access to markets,” Arne Cartridge, Secretary General of the Yara Foundation says.

“Both of the winners of this year’s Yara Prizen deserve praise and recognition for helping to innovatively strengthen agricultural value chains and increase Africa’s food security.”

The Prize consists of a USD 100,000 endowment, a crystal trophy and a diploma to be received by each laureate.

Representatives of NASFAM and Munga will receive their awards on 5 September 2009 in Oslo, Norway, at an award ceremony hosted by the Yara Foundation.