7th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW)

12 - 16 May 2025. Malawi. The 7th Africa-Wide Agricultural Extension Week (AAEW) served as a pivotal platform for stakeholders across Africa to reimagine the role of agricultural extension in achieving food security and economic growth. Under the theme “Rebranding Extension for Enhanced Public/Private Sector-Driven Commercialisation, Industrialisation and Inclusive Food Systems,” the event emphasized the necessity of transforming extension services into dynamic, demand-driven systems that actively engage both public and private sectors. 

Malawi's Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, underscored that agricultural extension must be central to Africa’s development agenda, highlighting its critical role in transitioning from subsistence to commercial agriculture and addressing unemployment and hunger. The event featured exhibitions, field visits, and knowledge-sharing sessions, fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, policymakers, and private sector actors. 

A key conclusion from the week was the urgent need to professionalize and better network extension practitioners across the continent. Dr. Silim Nahdy, Executive Director of the African Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (AFAAS), emphasized that without platforms like AAEW, extension systems risk stagnation due to fragmented knowledge and limited cross-border collaboration. 

The event also called for increased investment in extension services and stronger integration with research institutions and agribusinesses to ensure that innovations effectively reach smallholder farmers. Participants agreed that revitalizing extension is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly zero hunger, and for realizing the African Union’s Agenda 2063. The week concluded with a commitment to advocate for supportive policies and greater financing to empower extension systems as catalysts for inclusive agricultural transformation.

The Mlimi App

The Mlimi App brings agriculture to your fingertips with features like:

• Crop & Livestock Advisory
• Market Prices
• Weather Updates
• Financial Tips
• Mlimi Wallet & More!

Download it now on Google Play and step into the future of smart farming.

This innovation is made possible through a partnership between Farm Radio Trust and the Government of Flanders, with support from AGRA and IFAD.