Malawi’s dairy industry, comprising approximately 7,000 smallholder farmers, suffers from low milk production and quality due to a lack of reliable energy and water access. Farmers rely on manual milking methods and face challenges maintaining hygiene due to inadequate water supplies, resulting in financial losses. To address these issues, this project introduces two solar-powered technologies: (i) solar-powered milking machines and (ii) solar-powered water supply systems, both of which are currently unavailable in Malawi’s smallholder dairy sector.

The project aims to improve milk production and quality by providing steady energy and water access. It will also assess the suitability of these technologies for smallholder systems, evaluate their socio economic and gender impacts, and promote their adoption. Piloted in Lilongwe and Dedza districts, the project targets all 7,000 smallholder dairy farmers, as well as solar technology dealers and local milk processors, contributing to increased milk supply nationally.

Implemented jointly by LUANAR and Orifice Irrigation and Water Supply (OIWS) Limited, the initiative leverages Malawi’s abundant solar energy potential to modernize dairy farming. Benefits include improved productivity, enhanced farmer incomes, and sustainable dairy operations, with potential for scaling up the technologies across the country to boost the dairy industry’s overall performance.