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Karen Smith
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  • Blantyre
  • Malawi
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Latest Activity

Karen Smith added a discussion to the group Malawi Network
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Daily Times reports on Universal Industries Cassava project

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May 13
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Karen Smith posted a blog post

MEGA micro-hydro, Malawi - call for donor support

Duncan White explains the figures behind this flier in more detail in his recent blog. The flier was designed to communicate the key points of the MEGA scheme to attract donor support for this innovative social enterprise approach to managing a number of micro-hydro schemes at Mulanje mountain in Malawi. The plan is to provide grid access to over 35,000 individuals as well as the…See More
May 2
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Karen Smith commented on Caroline Ashley, Editor's blog post A growing Practitioner Hub! £1 per visit milestone. Value?
"What would be the cost of not having a Hub? I think in the age of the internet a project such as BIF HAS to have a website to share materials. There is no more effective way of managing all the learning that is being generated by our projects and…"
Apr 15
Karen Smith added a discussion to the group Malawi Network
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Presidential visit for Malawi Mangoes

We were pleased to see that the president had visited MM last week - good to get such high profile support: "My purpose for the visit was to show my Government’s commitment and support for the private sector as they are our strategic partners for economic growth". Let's hope this promise of support translates into action in Malawi as there is much to do to improve the economic environment and reduce the hurdles new companies face in setting up and attracting investment.…See More
Apr 15
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Karen Smith commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"Hi Jan - thanks!  Yes I have - we met through the Climate Smart Agriculture project back in 2011. Sounds like good results are being generated. I would classify Anchor Farm as an NGO approach to extension as they are donor funded?? Or would you…"
Mar 7
Jan Willem van den Broek commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"Dear Karen, Have you been in touch with the Clinton Development Initiative (CDI) in Malawi? In order to help smallholder farmers achieve greater income through greatly improved yields and access to formal markets for better prices, CDI created…"
Mar 7
Nicholas Evans commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"The extension service is required to cover a broad range of skills and crops each agent to effectively support smallholders must be a walking library on how to grow almost anything. To reflect this within district offices at…"
Mar 5
Karen Smith left a comment for Donna Mataya
"Hey Donna - glad to see you've signed up!! Karen"
Mar 5
Parveen Sultana Huda commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"We recently had a Round Table Discussion to review our events last year on Agri-Business Supply Chain. In Bangladesh, specifically in Dhaka (the capital city) we have a market called Kawran Bazaar - which is the city's largest wholesale market…"
Mar 1
Karen Smith commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"Fantastic!  Thanks Lewis - we definitely need to talk!  Will make contact next week! Karen"
Feb 28
Lewis Temple commented on Karen Smith's blog post Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?
"Hi Karen, you might be interested in the blog I have just posted about a model of private sector extension services called 'Farm Business Advisors' being developed by iDE in Cambodia, Mozambique and Zambia - happy to chat further if of…"
Feb 28
A blog post by Karen Smith was featured

Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?

When we held our NGO / private sector workshop back in November in Malawi, the unwritten assumption was that NGOs could play a valuable role in helping link the private sector to smallholder suppliers. NGOs have naturally been stepping into this gap since their social programmes mean they are already working closely with communities who need assistance with growing their livelihoods. This role…See More
Feb 28
6 Comments
Karen Smith posted a blog post

Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?

When we held our NGO / private sector workshop back in November in Malawi, the unwritten assumption was that NGOs could play a valuable role in helping link the private sector to smallholder suppliers. NGOs have naturally been stepping into this gap since their social programmes mean they are already working closely with communities who need assistance with growing their livelihoods. This role…See More
Feb 28
6 Comments
Karen Smith commented on S McCullagh's blog post How do you solve a problem like diarrhoea?
"Sounds like an interesting challenge - hope you crack it. And the best blog post title I have yet to see :-)"
Jan 25
Caroline Ashley, Editor replied to Karen Smith's discussion BIF Workshop on NGO / Private Sector Partnerships in Agribusiness, 12th November, Lilongwe in the group Malawi Network
"The November workshop has now happened, and full details are on the event page: http://businessinnovationfacility.org/page/partnership-workshop-malawi "
Dec 7, 2012
A blog post by Karen Smith was featured

The GOAL of finding sustainable smallholder market linkages

Last Monday BIF Malawi invited participants from the NGO and private sector communities for a workshop in Lilongwe, many of whom have been involved in BIF activities to date and have a strong interest in inclusive business. The event was designed to debate partnering in the agribusiness sector but also to facilitate networking and illustrate some relevant and innovative projects.I just wanted to…See More
Nov 23, 2012
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Profile Information

Organisation
Imani Development
Website
http://www.imanidevelopment.com
Title
Consultant
About My Work
Project manager specialising in change management; Cranfield Exec MBA 2001. 2 1/2 yrs experience in Malawi managing NGO development programme. Now independent consultant involved in private sector development work including the BIF Malawi programme.For a recent update check: http://www.businessfightspoverty.org/profiles/blogs/meet-karen-smit...
Sector
Consultant
Country Interest
Malawi, Zambia
Issues of Interest
Inclusive Business: Value Chains, Inclusive Business: Products and Services, Working in partnership, Driving & managing change inside the company
Main Reason for Joining this Site
Networking with fellow practitioners

Karen Smith's Blog

MEGA micro-hydro, Malawi - call for donor support

Duncan White explains the figures behind this flier in more detail in his recent blog. The flier was designed to communicate the key points of the MEGA scheme to attract donor support for this innovative social enterprise approach to managing a number of micro-hydro schemes at Mulanje mountain in Malawi. The plan is to provide grid access to over 35,000 individuals as well as…

Continue

Posted on May 2, 2013 at 15:30

Smallholder extension: whose role is it anyway?

When we held our NGO / private sector workshop back in November in Malawi, the unwritten assumption was that NGOs could play a valuable role in helping link the private sector to smallholder suppliers. NGOs have naturally been stepping into this gap since their social programmes mean they are already working closely with communities who need assistance with growing their livelihoods. This role…

Continue

Posted on February 28, 2013 at 16:00 — 6 Comments

The GOAL of finding sustainable smallholder market linkages

Last Monday BIF Malawi invited participants from the NGO and private sector communities for a workshop in Lilongwe, many of whom have been involved in BIF activities to date and have a strong interest in inclusive business. The event was designed to debate partnering in the agribusiness sector but also to facilitate networking and illustrate some relevant and innovative projects.

I just…

Continue

Posted on November 20, 2012 at 8:21

Malawi Mangoes host the Minister of Agriculture

On July 4th Malawi Mangoes hosted a visit in Salima district for the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Hon. Professor Peter Mwanza. The company was keen to show off the progress that has been made with the banana and mango farm as well as the work underway with mango…
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Posted on July 11, 2012 at 8:00

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At 23:26 on June 17, 2012, Sharon Rainey said…

Thanks so much for this Karen!  Sorry for the delay - I'm working here now for the African Medical and Reseach Foundation and takes me time to get around to my personal emails!  Please keep in touch - this looks great!  Best, Sharon

 

 

At 19:44 on June 14, 2012, DALITSO MAKOKA said…

Still waiting for the updates when soft loans are going to be available.

 

At 15:39 on June 13, 2012, Twisiwile Mwaighogha said…

Many thanks Karen and the new look Practitioner's hub website.  I should be coming here regularly  to learn a lot from you guys.

At 7:19 on May 2, 2012, Raymond Mwenitete said…

Karen, hope all is well with you. Do you have any pvt sector that you have funded thorugh BIF? We would like to find out how the institution is fairing in the prevailing market policies?

At 15:15 on April 26, 2012, Raymond Mwenitete said…

Thanks Karen,

Lets make sure that this blog becomes a real one and not a talk show. We have lots of job ahead of us. BIF impressed me and am sure you will really groom the capacity of our weak pvt sector especially in the area of agri-processing and value addition. CISANET is striving to have the policy environment for the pvt sector operation very conducive.

At 15:06 on October 28, 2011, Emma Doherty said…
Great photos Karen, thanks for sharing!
 
 
 
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