The week is being commemorated under the theme ‘Rebranding Extension for Enhanced Public/Private Sector Driven Commercialisation, Industrialisation, and Inclusive Food Systems’. The week is being hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS) and the Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) and has attracted delegates from within Africa and beyond.
During his opening remarks at the week-long event, Malawi’s Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, emphasized the critical role of agriculture extension workers in advancing agricultural development across the African continent.
Kawale stated that the initiative “Rebranding Extension for a Thriving, Inclusive, and Modern Agricultural Future” aims to revitalize extension services by making them dynamic and accessible. “This initiative focuses on utilizing mobile apps to engage young farmers, equipping women with innovative skills, and fostering partnerships with businesses to drive agricultural growth,” he explained. He further underscored that extension workers serve as the backbone of agricultural progress, acting as a vital bridge that transforms ideas into tangible outcomes, enabling farmers to sustainably nourish nations.
Addressing delegates from Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other African nations, Kawale expressed admiration for their contributions: “Your success stories—from mobile extension apps to farmer cooperatives—inspire us all. This week, let us collaborate, share proven strategies, and collectively strengthen Africa’s agricultural future.”
AFAAS Executive Director, Silim Nahdy hailed Malawi for hosting the week.
Malawi’s Principal Secretary for Irrigation in the Ministry of Agriculture Geoffrey Mamba said the Malawi Government appreciates the role of extension workers towards the development of the country’s agriculture sector.
According to Mamba, between March 11 and March this year, Agriculture Minister Kawale physically interfaced with each and every agriculture development officer in Malawi hearing out their efforts as frontline staff and also their challenges.
The AFAAS Africa Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) is an international event that brings together averagely 600 participants from across Africa and the World to deliberate on a selected strategic theme in agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS) for sustainable development in Africa.
It’s purpose is to facilitate processes for improving the use of knowledge, technologies and innovations by agricultural value chain actors to achieve their individual and national development goals.
Beyond thematic debates, the AFAAS AEW is a unique avenue for sharing experiences and learning between professionals from different backgrounds, strengthening interactions with policy-makers and investors and developing fruitful partnerships.
The AFAAS AEW is also meant to discuss new developments, emerging needs in capacity development and defining new directions in agricultural extension and advisory services for the coming years.