COMMERCIAL FARMING

AGRONOMY PARTNERSHIP WITH MPATSA GROUP

Mpatsa-TEV Farms Ltd is a joint venture company established by Mpatsa Holdings Ltd and TEV Africa Foods Ltd, to carry out commercial agriculture, focusing on premium agricultural value chains.

The company is initially focused on value chains in which, as promoters, we already have exposure, such as peanuts, common beans, cassava, bananas, maize, and livestock. Additional value chains will be explored as opportunities arise.

At the centre of the company’s agronomy activities is the deployment of climate-resilient solutions, such as irrigation, to eliminate seasonality in our operations.

The company currently has a total of 2,200 hectares of land spread across five commercial farms, namely Khonjeni Estate in Thyolo (700 hectares), Rathdrum Farm in Zomba (400 hectares), and Malembo 1 (700 hectares) and Malembo 2 (450 hectares), both in Mangochi.

All these farms have access to ample water bodies, which enable large-scale irrigation.

In addition to the five farms under Mpatsa-TEV Farms, TEV Group is establishing a Semi-Autotrophic Hydroponics (SAH) site at Chankhandwe Farm, a 215-ha farm on the outskirts of Lilongwe city, for rapid multiplication of improved cassava varieties. This site has also been earmarked as a future R&D centre for all TEV agronomy activities with support from our research partners, IITA, CIAT, and ICRISAT.

TEV agronomy map

OUR MOZAMBIQUE AND ZAMBIA AGRONOMY ACTIVITIES

TEV is currently expanding our agronomy activities to Mozambique and Zambia. This is to address the following needs within the group;
Growing demand for certified seed in the region: Diversifying and scaling up primary production to meet growing demand for our value-added products in domestic and export markets.

OUR OUTGROWER PROGRAM

Our agronomy services are designed to support our outgrowers with the knowledge, tools, and field-based guidance they need to improve crop performance and build sustainable production systems. We combine scientific expertise with practical, on-the-ground support to help them make informed decisions that enhance productivity, reduce risks, and protect natural resources.

We begin by assessing soil health, fertility levels, and field conditions to develop tailored crop management plans. Our team provides recommendations on land preparation, seed selection, optimal planting techniques, and precise crop nutrition strategies that ensure plants receive the right nutrients at the right time. Through integrated pest and disease management, we help our growers to adopt safe, effective control methods that minimize losses while promoting ecological balance.

Our agronomists work closely with the growers throughout the growing season, conducting field visits, monitoring crop progress, identifying emerging challenges, and advising on corrective actions. We promote climate-smart practices such as conservation agriculture, water-efficient irrigation methods, soil regeneration techniques, and the use of resilient crop varieties to strengthen adaptation to climate variability. Training and capacity building are at the heart of our approach. We facilitate demonstration, farmer field schools, and hands-on coaching to build local expertise and encourage the adoption of improved practices.

At the end of 2025, we have contracted outgrowers in Chitipa district (2 schemes) and Rumphi district (1 scheme). In 2026, we plan to launch new schemes in Dedza, Kasungu, and Mangochi districts.

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