The Agriculture Transformation Initiative (ATI) has urged the  Malawi to invest in science, technology and innovation if the agriculture sector is to improve.

“The idea is how to utilise technology to deliver extension services to farmers and maybe not just extension but also teach them financial literacy, farm business management using technology,” said the ATI Country Director, Candida Nankhumwa.

Meanwhile, ATI will host its second annual agricultural transformation summit which is aimed at enhancing inclusive science, technology and innovation in driving agriculture transformation. ATI is aiming for a future of reduced tobacco demand by working with smallholder tobacco farmers to facilitate the development of complementary structured value chains with a goal of making Malawi’s agriculture sector globally competitive.

ATI partners with the private sector, smallholder farmer organisations, government and financial stakeholders to catalyse investment, develop and strengthen extension services, and promote entrepreneurship to support tobacco farmers in their efforts to transition to alternative crops and livelihoods.