While working as one, the CAT has two main working streams of (1) Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI), and (2) Incubation, Acceleration and Commercialization which work in harmony to drive the adoption of technology and innovations as well as commercialization agenda among smallholder farmers through a partnership model with agribusinesses and technology providers. Under the STI stream, the CAT has three Smart Farms; two in central region at Bunda and NRC Campuses of the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR), and third one at Makoka Research Station in Zomba. The establishment of the Makoka Smart Farm is a direct response to the small-holder / farmer and Government’s call to replicate the smart farms to other regions of the country following the visit of President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera to Bunda Smart Farm on 6th May 2022. The Data Solutions component involves deployment of ground sensors in both CAT and partner sites to collect Agrometrological data to boost production and use of market access tools to inform decision making.
KEY ACTIVITIES AT THE CAT – BUNDA SMART FARM
This Smart Farm is purposely demarcated into three parts: Technology Showcasing Plots, Research on Demand Plots, and Varietal Maintenance Plots.
Activities
- Improved Alternative Value Chains
- Crop Nutrition Technologies
- Crop Protection Technologies
- Farm Mechanization Technologies
- Irrigation Technologies
- Greenhouse Technologies
- Ground Sensing
KEY ACTIVITIES AT CAT-NRC SMART FARM
The Smart Farm has 5.5ha of land which is used divided into demo plots for showcasing technologies such as use of Mbeya fertilizers in maize, varietal maintenance and research on demand. A number of partners utilize the smart farm in key value chains such as maize, groundnuts, soybeans, chia seeds, sunflower, banana, upland rice, tomatoes, beans, among others. The key activities taking place at the site include:
This Smart Farm is purposely demarcated into three parts: Technology Showcasing Plots, Research on Demand Plots, and Varietal Maintenance Plots.
Activities
- Improved Varieties of Crops
- Crop Nutrition Technologies
- Crop Protection Technologies
- Farm Mechanization Technologies
- Irrigation Technologies
- Greenhouse Technologies
- Ecosystem Restoration
KEY ACTIVITIES AT CAT-MAKOKA SMART FARM
The Smart Farm has 5.5ha of land which is used divided into demo plots for showcasing technologies such as use of Mbeya fertilizers in maize, varietal maintenance and research on demand. A number of partners utilize the smart farm in key value chains such as maize, groundnuts, soybeans, chia seeds, sunflower, banana, upland rice, tomatoes, beans, among others. The key activities taking place at the site include:
This Smart Farm is purposely demarcated into three parts: Technology Showcasing Plots, Research on Demand Plots, and Varietal Maintenance Plots.
Activities
- Improved Varieties of Crops
- Crop Nutrition Technologies
- Crop Protection Technologies
- Farm Mechanization Technologies
- Irrigation Technologies
- Greenhouse Technologies
- Ecosystem Restoration
KEY ACTIVITIES OF INCUBATION, ACCELERATION AND COMMERCIALIZATION PORTFOLIO
Goal
To support smallholder farmers diversify and increase their incomes through commercialization of new/improved technologies
Objective
To identify and nurture nascent and existing businesses spearheading agricultural diversification through testing scaling of new/improved technologies
Activities
- Incubation, Acceleration and Commercialization
- Innovation and Entrepreneurship
- Entrepreneurship Academies
- Hackathons
- AgTech Challenge