The Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Hon. Roza Mbilizi, has officially launched the three-day National Agriculture Festival (NAF), which is taking place at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre from 27 to 29 August 2026.
Held under the theme “Transforming Agriculture through Innovation, Value Addition, and Market Linkages,” the festival brings together stakeholders from across the agricultural sector to showcase innovations, products and initiatives contributing to Malawi’s agricultural transformation.
YONECO is participating in the festival through an information booth, where the organization is showcasing its work in promoting child protection and addressing child labour in various sectors, including agriculture.
Among the interventions being highlighted are the Toll-Free Child Helpline, which provides children with access to support and referral services; Theatre for Development (TfD), which uses participatory theatre to raise awareness and stimulate community action; and awareness-raising initiatives through YONECO FM (YFM), which provides a platform for reaching communities with information on child protection and other social development issues.
The organization is also showcasing its social enterprises under Y-Net Investments, including its sunflower cooking oil production initiative. Through contract farming, the initiative creates economic opportunities for young people by providing farmers with agricultural inputs, including sunflower seed and fertilizer, while also offering a ready market for their produce.
The participation provides an opportunity for YONECO to engage with farmers, young people, private sector actors, government institutions and other stakeholders while highlighting the link between economic empowerment, child protection and sustainable agricultural development.
YONECO’s presence at the NAF underscores the organization’s commitment to promoting innovative approaches that protect children, empower young people and contribute to resilient livelihoods and inclusive development.
The National Agriculture Festival runs from 27 to 29 August 2026 at the Trade Fair Grounds in Blantyre.
