By Cynthia Mphepo

Kasungu, June 24, Mana: The Transforming Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE) Program, has distributed 83 bicycles to local facilitators in the Kasungu Cluster to enhance household mentorship and strengthen community mobilisation on gender equality and family development.

Speaking on Tuesday during the handover ceremony at Chulu in Kasungu, TRADE Cluster Coordinator Shilda Kambalame Bulasho said the bicycles would improve mobility for local facilitators, enabling them to reach more households and provide consistent mentorship support.

The Kasungu Cluster comprises Kasungu, Mchinji and Ntchisi districts, where local facilitators work closely with communities to help households address social and economic challenges through mentorship programmes.

“Our facilitators serve as the link between the programme and households. Improving their mobility means more families will access the guidance and mentorship needed to transform their lives,” said Bulasho.

She explained that each facilitator works with at least five households, providing guidance on joint decision-making, responsible management of household resources, production planning and long-term family development strategies.

Bulasho said the mentorship model is designed to help households move beyond short-term survival approaches by developing practical and sustainable plans to improve their livelihoods using locally available resources.

“Many households have resources but lack proper planning and collective action. Through mentorship, families are learning to make decisions together, invest wisely and work towards goals that can improve their economic wellbeing,” she said.

According to Bulasho, the initiative contributes to the aspirations of the Malawi 2063 agenda, particularly in promoting food security, wealth creation and inclusive economic growth.

Maternje Ward Councillor Bernard Sikeni urged beneficiaries to use the bicycles responsibly and ensure they are utilised for their intended purpose.

“These bicycles will also help facilitators connect households to essential services, including agricultural extension support, while ensuring development messages reach more people,” said Sikeni.

One of the beneficiaries, local facilitator Winston Kambewa, expressed gratitude for the support, saying the bicycles would significantly improve their ability to reach more households across wider areas.

He also encouraged fellow facilitators to remain dedicated to their voluntary work, saying volunteerism plays a crucial role in advancing national development.

The TRADE Programme is a six-year initiative funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID).

Implemented by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, the programme seeks to improve sustainable livelihoods among rural communities.

The initiative focuses on addressing infrastructure and capacity challenges affecting agricultural value chains while strengthening the ability of rural households and producers to participate in profitable economic activities.