Looking for your next big break? Consider the Funding for Request for Submission of Concept Notes for Consideration of Award of Matching Grants under AGCOM 2 Program at Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project in Malawi. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date on July 24, 2026. Check the requirements below and apply today. Please ensure to mention you found this opportunity on NyasaJobs.com website when submitting your CV and application to the employer or when making online applications for organizations.

Ministry of Agriculture

AGRICULTURAL COMMERCIALISATION (AGCOM 2) PROGRAM

REQUEST FOR SUBMISSION OF CONCEPT NOTES FOR CONSIDERATION OF AWARD OF MATCHING GRANTS UNDER AGCOM 2 PROGRAM

(WINDOW 1 CALL FOR CONCEPT NOTES TARGETING PRODUCER ORGANISATIONS (POs))

Introduction

The Ministry of Agriculture in close collaboration with the Ministry of Trade and Industry is implementing the Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM 2) Program with a grant from the World Bank amounting to US$265 million and additional financing from Muti Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) funded by the EU, Ireland, Norway, and Flanders. In addition, AGCOM 2 will also receive financing from the F52030 Global Umbrella Trust Fund. This brings total AGCOM 2 financing to US$326 million.

The objective is to increase the resilience of food systems and the country’s preparedness for food insecurity in program areas. AGCOM 2 is part of the Food Systems Resilience Program, a regional program that is being implemented in four countries comprising Somal a, Kenya, Comoros, and Malawi including the African Union. The program is well aligned with the Malawi 2063(W 2063) and its first 10-year implementation Plan (MIP-1). Specifically, AGCOM 2 aims to increase the commercialization of primary and value-added agricultural products and it will support agricultural productivity and commercialization, which is the number 1 pillar of the WW 2063 and a priority intervention area to the Agricultural Sector.

‘Getting to Market’ is component number 3 of the AGCOM 2 Program which wil continue building on the successful implementation of and lessons from the AGCOM 1.0 Project. Under this component, the AGCOM Z Program will continue to provide Matching Grants which have been categorized in the following three distinctive windows:

Window 1: This window is targeting Producer Organizations (POs) that are accessing the AGCOM Matching Grants for the first time. The matching grants will be primarily for investments that will increase the marketable volumes (production) to support the commercial zation among the POs. This window will implement a high-impact Productive Alliance (PA) approach. The PA is based on a commercial agreement between the program-supported Producer Organizations (POs) (i.e. farmer cooperatives, associations) and commercial off-takers (buyers). In a PA, the PO is guaranteed a predictable market while the off-taker is guaranteed a predictable and consistent supply of the agreed commodity.

Window 2: Using the PA approach, this window primarily focuses on POs tha: have benefitted from AGCOM 1 or any other POs that can demonstrate high volume to sustain value addition.

Window 3: This wirdow focuses on micro, and small-medium enterprises that are working with smallholder farmers to increase production, improve quality, and enhance value addition. SMEs such as offitaters, aggregators, anchor farmers, and processors will be provided with matching grants to meet their expansion requ rements.

Window 1 Call for Concepts

This call for concepts is targeting only POs that intend to access the AGCOM Matching Grants for the first time. AGCOM 2 Program Is therefore Inviting ellgible POs that are In PAs to apply under Window 1 only by expressing Interest through submission of their Concept Notes. The POs, together with their off-takers, should submit their concept notes Jointly as PAs.

The concept notes ( ncluding annexes) should be presented using AGCOM Z Window 1 formal. Applicants should request for an electronic copy of the concept note tormat through email (agcomconceptnote2026@gmail.com) or download from the project website. The applicants are also encouraged to seek technical guidance from the District Councils (especially Agribusiness Officers and Trade Officers) on how to prepare the concept notes.

Use of Matching Grants in Window 1

• Procurement of productive assets that increase volume and improve quality of produce,
• Technical assistance that aids in increasing production and quality of produce, and
• The PO subproject should include environmental and social safeguards.

Eligibility criteria for Window 1

POs applying for matching grants under Window 1 wili be required to fulfill the following eligibility criteria:

• The PO should be an eligible farmer organization/group. The group must have basic interim leadership, bylaws or regulations, and evidence of prior meetings. The PO must indicate a commitment to train and become a cooperative;
• The PO should have 20 members and above. POs with large membership will be prioritized;
• For the PO sub-projects with individual investment intervention, members must be within a 20-kilometer radius of each other. For PO subprojects with collective asset intervention, members may come from varying areas.
• The PO should have a committed off-taker with a signed commitment letter that is valid for 24 months, and the Off-taker must be prepared to sign a commercial agreement at a later stage.
• All agricultural value chains are eligible except tobacco. The chosen value chain and proposed sub-project must demonstrate revenue within 24 months.
• Evidence of ownership of land for collective assets (this could be any of the following: Lease, Customary Land Certiticate, Change of Ownership document, and stamped letter trom the relevant Traditional Authority).
• Land for individual members involved in crop production should not exceed 8 hectares (≤8 hectares).
• The AGCOM 2 Window 1 matching grant shall not exceed the Malawi Kwacha equivalent of USS 2,500 per listed member or beneficiary. This shall represent a maximum of 70% whilst PO will contribute 20% in kind (e.g. land, labour, inputs) and 10% cash.
• Collective investments will be prioritized over individual investments after a thorough assessment.
• PO subproject should include environmental and social safeguards.
• All business cases must adapt climate resilience / climate smart technolog es c.g. technologies for soil fertility improvement, soil and water conservation, and agrotorestry tree cultivation.

Submission of Concept Note

Apply using one of these different ways:

1. Online Application: This is the most recommended application method by AGCOM 2 Program because it is simple, fast, easy, and has instant feedback indicating that your application has been received. To apply online, download concept note template on AGCOM website under downloads link on forms and template link and prepare all required attachments as separate files. Complete your application on AGCOM website via this link https://www.agcom.gov.mw/node/390. The link is also found on the home page of the website.
2. In case of challenges in submitting application online, Concept Note clearly marked “Window 1 Concept Note for AGCOM 2 Matching Grant” can be submitted by hand, post or email to:

The National Project Coordinator,
Agricultural Commercialisation (AGCOM) Project
Forestry Building – off Chilambula road, opposite MRA offices,
Р.О. Воx 727,
Lilongwe.
E-mail: agcomconceptnote2026@gmail.com

The deadline for submitting the concept notes is 24th July, 2026. Applications submitted after the dealine will not be assessed.

AGCOM 2 Program is also encouraging the POs that applied for matching grants under Window 1 previously but failed to revise their concept notes and reapply in line with the concept note template and the eligibility criteria for Window 1.