As a CNFA-certified agrodealer and model farmer, Mr. Manfred Lungu is a popular member of his community in Northern Malawi. He has been farming for more than 15 years, growing maize, tomatoes, cabbages, onions and cassava and has been an agrodealer for many years, long before CNFA launched its Agrodealer Support Program. However, Lungu admits facing enormous challenges in the early years of his businesses, particularly in managing his working capital, regulating cash flow, monitoring inventory levels, analyzing profit margins, reconciling records and managing operating expenses.

Essentially, he was operating his business without the training to make it profitable.

For this reason, Lungu approached CNFA in 2004 for training in business management. The program, which resulted in his becoming a CNFA-certified agrodealer, greatly improved his business operations, enabling him to serve his customers more effectively and efficiently, which was especially important given that he was the only agrodealer in Mpamba to serve 15,000 local farmers.

“Of the most beneficial lessons I have learned as a result of working with CNFA is how to become a successful businessman as well as farmer," Lungu said. And being successful is more than just a matter of riches or personal pride for Lungu.

"Other than guaranteeing my family food security, I can be an inspiration to my farmer customers who regard me as their role model," he added.

Lungu now owns three modern houses, a grocery shop and, of course, the agrovet shop.

“I won’t beat around the bush," Lungu said. "I am simply what I am and where I am today as a result of the support and intervention from CNFA."

“My customer base has steadily been increasing each year and I am always ready to pass on the same knowledge and technologies I learned from CNFA to my farmer customers," he added.

Due to increasing demand and with the objective of increasing smallholder farmers’ access to improved agricultural inputs, Mr. Lungu plans to open another branch of his agrovet business in the same district but in another trading centre about 40Km away eastward of Mpamba.

“I am confident… this is just but the beginning,” he said.