Young Farmers Incubator

Fostering entrepreneurship, sustainable livelihoods and food security among HIV-affected youth.

In Malawi’s rural Dowa District, the majority of households rely on small-scale farming to provide food and a small income for their families. Poverty and the effects of extreme weather mean that over a third of households are food insecure, especially during the pre-harvest months. Local youth have few opportunities to break the cycle: there are few formal employment opportunities and 25% of young people are out of work; leaving them at risk of exploitation and contracting HIV.

In their Egmont-funded project, Young Farmers Incubator (YFI) is addressing these challenges in a project strengthening self-reliance among 100 HIV-affected young people in Dowa through practical training in poultry-production, horticulture, and basic financial management. Each participant receives tailored guidance and start-up farming materials to establish small enterprises, alongside support to connect with reliable buyers for sustained income. YFI is also forming Village Savings and Loan Associations where young people can save profits and access small loans to expand their ventures. Through this project, YFI is building the foundations for sustainable rural livelihoods and enabling young people to grow and diversify both their incomes and nutrition.