From Seeds to Success: How Humbert Cooperative is Thriving with Organic Soya

In the heart of Malawi, a community of farmers is transforming livelihoods, one harvest at a time.

Planting the Seeds of Change

In rural Malawi, Humbert Cooperative is doing more than farming — it’s building prosperity through community, sustainability, and shared purpose. What began as a small initiative has grown into a movement of 500 members, driven by strategic partnerships, fair pricing, and the resilience of local farmers.

Meet Rabecca Chibwana: Leading with Purpose

Rabecca Chibwana, chairlady of Humbert Cooperative, proudly shared the group’s progress:

Membership has grown from 400 to 500.

They’ve sold four truckloads of soyabeans — all organically grown by smallholders.

They follow strict organic protocols to ensure quality.

Their funding model flows smoothly from CAP to ETG to DCU, enabling efficient soybean purchases.

“Our members are happy,” Rabecca said. “They now have a ready market with good prices right here in the area. Some have even managed to buy fertilizer for the next season with their earnings.”

Organic Farming Is Paying Off

A Program That Delivers Real Value

Thanks to the Organic Soil Program, farmers are earning better prices than ever before.

Judith Timothy, a member of the cooperative, said:

“This program helped us get better prices than what local traders were offering before. We’ve grown because of it.”

The impact is visible — farmers are now able to invest in their own farm inputs, reducing reliance on handouts.

Building a Stronger Community

Ownership, Accountability, and Growth

With success comes complexity. Internal discussions revealed a key question:

Who really owns the cooperative?

While over 100 people actively participate, not all members contribute equally. Leaders like Rabecca and others shoulder responsibilities like sourcing, logistics, and maintaining quality standards.

Still, the cooperative remains committed to transparency and inclusive growth. Real progress depends on shared accountability.

Scaling Up: Vision from the Field

Paul Piri, a driving force in the cooperative’s growth strategy, is looking ahead.

“We’re encouraging farmers to expand — from half an acre to three acres, even more if possible. The more we grow, the more we earn.”

He also encourages crop diversification — adding groundnuts and beans alongside soyabeans to reduce risk and broaden income streams.

Lessons from Humbert’s Journey

The cooperative’s story offers powerful takeaways:

Market access transforms lives — farmers with a guaranteed buyer thrive.

Financial empowerment builds resilience — members invest in their future.

Shared responsibility matters — cooperatives grow when every member contributes.

This is more than a success story. It’s a model of community-driven, sustainable development.

What’s Next for Humbert Cooperative?

Humbert is continuing to grow — in numbers, in yield, and in purpose. Their story demonstrates that when local efforts align with the right support systems, the results can be transformative.

Get Involved: Partner with Community Agribusiness

At Community Agribusiness, we support models like Humbert Cooperative that put power back into the hands of farmers.

Are you a business, development agency, or nonprofit looking to create meaningful impact?

Partner with us to support smallholder-led supply chains, promote sustainable farming, and build resilient rural economies across Africa.

Visit: www.communityagribusiness.org

Let’s grow together — from soil to success.