A 28-year-old graduate of DMI. ST. John Baptist University Stanislaus Sakwiya has taken a bold step to ensure that farmers have access to financial services and agricultural inputs through a digital platform known as MlimiPay.
Sakwiya, from Bonongwe Village, Traditional Authority Mpalamanda in Ntcheu District, has said that MlimiPay is an innovative financial solution aimed at supporting smallholder farmers.
The DMI. ST. John University graduate has told ProjectM that the milestone is a huge leap forward to provide a mobile serving solution.
“Our motivation to venture into MlimiPay stemmed from the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in accessing financial services and agricultural inputs. We wanted to create a solution that would assist farmers to save effectively and access the inputs necessary for successful farming, which can significantly enhance their productivity and financial stability,” Sakwiya said.
He is currently working with underprivileged smallholder farmers in Lilongwe while emphasising that his tailored future goal is to eventually reach out to different farmers across the entire country.
Apart from providing financial services, Sakwiya said he is also providing guidance to farmers on the best practices of using their savings effectively, saying being part of MlimiPay allows them to engage with a network of peers, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Sakwiya mentioned that many farmers are unaware of the benefits of saving and digital financial services, adding that limited access to reliable mobile networks in rural areas can hinder service delivery.
He said: “Ironically, our future approach is to expand MlimiPay’s reach to more districts and enhance our platform with additional services, including insurance options and more educational resources for farmers.
“In essence, we also aim at partnering with more organisations to provide holistic support to our farmers throughout the farming circle as a way of helping them thrive in their endeavors, making agriculture a reliable and profitable venture.”
He systematically said that low-income farmers are the backbone of Malawi’s agricultural sector and therefore empowering them is crucial for the country’s economic growth and development.
To those who have not yet joined the MlimiPay project, he has encouraged them to consider the benefits of saving for their agricultural needs because joining MlimiPay is an opportunity to take control of farmers’ financial future and improve their farming practices, leading to better yields and improved livelihoods.
For more details, contact Stanislaus Sakwiya on: +265 888 80 01 01.
