Lazarus Macheso, a certified commercial food processor from Ntcheu District, is on a mission to transform rural areas through his business, Abale Agri-Producers.
Established in 2015, Abale Agri-Producers produces a range of value-added agro-products, including nutritious mixed phala, processed herbs and peanut butter. The business also provides hands-on training in soap making, castor and baobab oil production.
Macheso’s vision is to create job opportunities in rural areas while delivering high-quality products to the community despite facing several challenges, including expensive and inconsistent packaging materials, limited market access, and a lack of technical skills, the business continues to grow.
“We plan to engage more smallholder farmers and increase production. We are also committed to training young people in soap-making and business skills to promote self-employment in the community. It’s my wish to see everyone making it in life,” he said.
Abale Agri-Producers has received support from the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (SMEDI) through market access facilitation at trade fairs. The business focuses on sustainability by continuously introducing new products and adapting to customer needs.
“I do this to support my people in rural areas where it’s hard to find things like this close to them. So, I produce and sell them at lower price,” emphasised Macheso.
Macheso’s dedication to rural transformation has not gone unnoticed. His business has the potential to make a significant impact on the lives of rural communities in Malawi.
“People like Macheso are the people this country needs, doing everything possible to promote Malawi and as the government continues promoting everyone to be using locally made products so that we can be supporting each other for better Malawi,” said Patrick Botha spokesperson for the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
