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Although agriculture accounts for 80% of the workforce in Malawi, smallholder farmers often receive poor returns and are subject to general market inefficiencies. Farmers lack access to inputs and agricultural extension services which could increase their output. Low profitability and productivity leaves smallholder farmers impoverished, with many living on less than USD $50 per year.

GGEM Farming, a locally-founded social enterprise run by women, provides commercial and digital solutions to increase the incomes for 800 Malawian farmers. GGEM provides pre-harvest inputs on credit and services for farmers to boost yields. GGEM reduces information gaps and pays farmers 25% above government recommended prices.

GGEM Farming has improved average incomes by USD $50-$300 annually per farmer. After the 2018-2019 season, 100% of its farmers acknowledged having more food to eat than in their previous year without GGEM Farming services. Fifty percent of the farmers GGEM work with were able to access and pay for health services.

This loan of $50,000 will help GGEM Farming grow its farmer support fund and pay more farmers fair prices. On average in farmers’ first year in the GGEM program, their average income grew by 600%. This is GGEM Farming’s first loan through the Kiva Social Enterprise program.