Malawi's people are largely smallholding farmers growing pigeon peas, a resilient easy-to-grow drought-resistant crop.However they have suffered from rapidly rising costs for seed,fertiliser and food staples, low crop yields and poor prices for their crops of peas.
Christian Aid has helped set up an Association to support the pea farmers by helping them to work collectively, giving them access to information,grants and business plans,building warehouses and processing plants,and helping them get a fair price for their crops in export markets.Ten thousand farmers, 70% of whom are women, have joined the Association.
Sadly Malawi was hit extensively by cyclone Freddy in March as a result of the global climate crisis. This led to flooding,crop destruction, devastation of homes and displacement of half a million people, a cholera outbreak and the prospect of famine.
With your help Christian Aid can help the farmers of Malawi rebuild their lives and fight poverty, disease and starvation.
Your gifts this Christian Aid Week could help people around the world secure a safer, happier future for their children and grandchildren.
We are united by hope. And together, we hope every family will have the joy of living a dignified life, free from poverty.
Every gift. Every action. Every prayer. Every one of us can make dreams come true.
Jen Bishop and her family - Adam Haggerty/ Christian Aid
