A farmer connects design with independence
Akafaamveka Mbewe of Chiwawa village, chair of Tizidalire Farmers Club, said the training would help him produce assistive technology. “I will be able to work in the farm,” he said. The three-day sessions brought users, facilitators and design specialists together to develop equipment suited to practical tasks. [1]
Tools begin with farmers’ own priorities
IFAD’s guidance explains the approach developed by Light for the World: farmers with disabilities and their communities identify challenges, then jointly design adapted tools and work practices. Local partners and disability organisations participate. The emphasis is on affordable solutions that fit local conditions and support people’s participation in agricultural activities. [2]
Experience was shared across countries
A subsequent IFAD publication described a six-day learning exchange in Malawi during 2024. Practitioners examined PRIDE, TRADE and FARMSE, three agricultural projects working with SPARK on disability inclusion. Government representatives and organisations of persons with disabilities shared experience alongside other partners, linking local experiments with wider programme design. [3]