Story 3

Transforming Agricultural Extension Services Delivery

The Challenge

The government of the Republic of Malawi faced many challenges in the delivery of agricultural extension and advisory services (AEAS), including the poor reach of extension services; limited access to extension services, especially for women, youth and poorer households; low awareness of technologies; and low adoption rates of technologies. The government needed support in developing a holistic national AEAS strategy to strengthen the efficiency and effectiveness of a pluralistic and demand-driven services.

The PSIC Solution

PSIC developed an AEAS strategy in a fully participatory and consultative manner that considered the views of a wide range of stakeholders at national, Agricultural Development Division (ADD), district and Extension/Ecological Planning Area (EPA) levels, international development partners and other national development programmes. The new strategy recognised that AEAS was not just a simple technical agenda but a much broader initiative of supporting market competitiveness for commercial agriculture while also addressing poverty in rural areas in a holistic and integrated manner.

The Measurable Impact

The PSIC work enabled the government to shift its AEAS strategic agenda from a biased focus on agricultural production to a broader agenda encompassing services relating to demand-driven production, marketing, savings and credit, natural resource management and poverty reduction. It also addressed demands for EAS to cover issues relating to nutrition, climate adaptation, youth and gender mainstreaming by identifying how women and youth farmers’ participation in extension should be enhanced, given the prevailing traditional, social and institutional barriers. The strategy also contributed to building a professional extension system that helped to transform agricultural production and significantly increased incomes, food security and nutritional status of Malawians.
Inspiring real-world examples of innovation, resilience, and measurable change.

More Impact Stories

Building Resilient Local Governance for Better Services in Zimbabwe

Designing Growth Hub Strategy for an Inclusive Green Economy in Tanzania

Driving Education Adaptation Towards 21st Century Learning Outcomes

Work with us

At PSI consult International, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive lasting change. We are always on the lookout for dynamic professionals, trusted partners and innovative thinkers who can help us deliver development impact across Africa and beyond.

PSI Consult International Corporate Profile

PSI Consult International Ltd.

Architects of change

For over two decades, PSI Consult (PSIC) has operated at the critical intersection where research, policy, and practice meet. Founded on the principle of delivering locally grounded, analytically rigorous, and results-oriented solutions, PSIC has built a legacy of proven impact in the most complex environments. Our work has taken us across the continent, from high-growth emerging economies to fragile and conflict-affected states, giving us an unrivalled, nuanced understanding of the forces that shape Africa’s development landscape. This history is our foundation.
Today, under the leadership of renowned development experts Dr. Dennys Pasipanodya and Dr. Onward Mandebvu, we are building upon that legacy. We recognize that the tools of development are evolving. The challenges of the next decade demand a new level of agility, foresight, and innovation. That is why we are broadening our team, infusing new talents and pairing our time-tested contextual wisdom with the transformative power of digital technology and data intelligence. We are evolving from advisors into architects of change.

Our Mission

We aim to deliver innovative, practical, and sustainable development solutions that improve lives, strengthen institutions, and drive inclusive economic growth. We partner with governments, NGOs, and the private sector to engineer sustainable, equitable solutions, blending deep contextual expertise with AI-driven data intelligence and digital innovation.

Service Pillars

We focus our expertise on four interconnected pillars, masterminding holistic solutions that drive sustainable and equitable progress across Africa.

  1. Strategic Foresight & Institutional Modernisation

    Guiding leaders to build agile, future-ready institutions.

  2. Digital Transformation & Impact Intelligence

    Leveraging AI and data to maximise development impact.

  3. Climate Resilience & Sustainable Economies

    Designing strategies for green growth and food security.

  4. Human Capital & Organisational Excellence

    Fostering high-performing, people-centric organisations.

Our Approach

Our approach is collaborative and human-centric. We work alongside our partners, transferring knowledge and building the internal capabilities required for sustainable success. We believe that the most powerful solutions are co-created, and the most durable change is owned by the communities it serves.

We combine technical rigour with contextual knowledge, working in close partnership with clients and stakeholders to co-create locally owned and globally informed solutions. We place a strong emphasis on inclusive development, evidence-based decision-making, and sustainability.

We use foresight tools like scenario planning and policy modelling to help leaders craft resilient long-term strategies. We then modernise their institutions, re-engineering processes and building a culture of innovation to ensure today’s policies anticipate tomorrow’s needs.

Leadership

Our leadership team comprises seasoned consultants with over 50 years of combined experience in designing, implementing, and managing development programmes throughout Africa. The directors bring deep expertise in public policy, economic reform, and programme implementation.

Clients and Partners

At PSIC, we are driven by a passionate belief in clients’ potential. Our mission is not simply to consult, but to construct; not just to analyse, but to build. We are here to help our partners navigate the complexities of today and seize the opportunities of tomorrow. We work with a diverse range of clients, including:

  • International Development Agencies (e.g., EU, UNDP, AfDB, World Bank)
  • National and Local Governments
  • NGOs and Civil Society Organizations
  • Private Sector and Business Associations

Contact Us