By Burnett Munthali
Kasungu, Malawi — A renewed sense of hope and determination swept through members of the Tiafikile Cooperative on Thursday, March 12, 2026, as Chairperson Henry Bauti reflected on the transformative influence of Malawi’s Vice President, Dr. Jane Ansah.
Speaking with visible emotion, Bauti recounted a pivotal moment that he believes set the cooperative on a path toward growth and opportunity.
“I traveled to Kasungu after receiving a phone call. I wondered why I had been called, but I knew something meaningful was waiting for me and the other beneficiaries,” Bauti said as he addressed the Vice President.
The trip introduced him to the thriving BOMFA cooperative, whose success left a lasting impression on him. There, Bauti witnessed firsthand how collective effort and shared resources could transform rural livelihoods.
“Everyone surrenders one and a half hectares of farmland to the cooperative,” he explained, describing the collaborative model that had helped members prosper.
Through this system, the cooperative cultivates a variety of crops—including bananas, sunflower, cassava, and soya beans—while also operating a village banking initiative that has supported members’ livelihoods since 2005.
Inspired by what he saw, Bauti returned home convinced that a similar transformation was possible for his community.
“When I came back, I knew something big was coming our way,” he said, recalling the optimism that began to spread among members.
The Tiafikile Cooperative is now planning to expand its activities to include irrigation farming, animal husbandry, and large-scale cassava production. Members believe these initiatives could significantly strengthen food security and improve household incomes.
During the visit, Bauti expressed the community’s appreciation for Vice President Ansah’s presence and her commitment to supporting rural development.
“We are happy that you are here today, Madam Vice President,” he said.
Looking ahead, the cooperative has outlined several priorities it hopes the government can support, including access to fertilizer, the construction of a warehouse for storage, improved transportation, and the development of fruit farming projects.
“We ask you, Madam Vice President, to help us with fertilizer,” Bauti appealed.
He also emphasized the need for infrastructure that would enable the cooperative to scale up its operations.
“In the future we need a warehouse and our own transportation,” he said, noting that such investments would help farmers access markets more efficiently.
The cooperative also hopes to diversify into fruit farming, a sector members believe holds significant potential for income generation.
Bauti concluded by assuring the Vice President that the cooperative is committed to transparency and accountability.
“We are not corrupt, and we can promise you that, Madam Vice President,” he said.
For the farmers of Tiafikile, the visit marked more than just a meeting—it signaled the possibility of a new chapter, one driven by cooperation, innovation, and renewed faith in the power of community-led development in rural Malawi.
