The National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) is a key implementing partner in the Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food in Agriculture (YEFFA) Project funded by AGRA. The YEFFA Project which has a consortium model of implementation  has Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), Farm Radio Trust (FRT), Tradeline Corporation Limited, Rural Market Development (RUMARK), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and Malawi Agriculture and Industrial Investment Corporation (MAIIC)

The YEFFA program aims to drive an inclusive transformation of Malawi’s agri-food system by developing a competitive Agro-processing industry that enhances farmer productivity, resilience, and creates dignified work opportunities for youth and vulnerable populations.

As part of this consortium, NYCOM is tasked with mobilizing and registering youth beneficiaries to take part in the program interventions provided by NYCOM and other implementing partners. Some of the responsibilities of the council in the project is to facilitates mindset change trainings, encourage youth to view agriculture as a viable livelihood option. Additionally, NYCOM will equip participants with soft skills and entrepreneurial knowledge, positioning them to lead youth-focused advocacy efforts and help foster a youth-friendly ecosystem within the agricultural sector.

The Council is implementing this project in 4 ADDs of Kasungu, Salima, Lilongwe and Machinga which translates to 13 districts: Zomba, Machinga, Balaka, Mangochi, Dedza, Ntcheu, Lilongwe, Dowa, Ntchisi, Kasungu, Mchinji, Nkhotakota, Salima and Balaka. To date, NYCOM has successfully conducted district entry meetings and rolled out mobilization and registration activities in 12 districts excluding Machinga which implementation will start as well.

To supplement these efforts the Council has also successfully conducted a total of 108 Area Development Committee meetings (ADCs) across the 13 districts where the project is being implemented. These meetings are held within the Extension Planning Areas (EPAs). These meetings do not only act as awareness meetings but also as part of entry points in the communities and officially start the mobilisation and registration of program beneficiaries.

As it stands, the National Youth Council of Malawi has mobilised and registered 143,827 youth (80,345 Female and 63,482 Male) and this are the youth who will be profiled and supported with interventions like provision of agriculture extension services, inputs and financial support. Aside from these, partners like Tradeline Corporation will also be to link the program beneficiaries to broad range of high value domestic and international markets. The overall goal of the project is to empower youth to find work opportunities in agricultural sector

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