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Innovative Solutions, Solid Foundations

Lotus Holding Ltd. is a Company registered in Malawi Southern Africa.  The project will be established in Mzimba, Malawi. The project aims to develop 10,000 hectares with an initial of 1.000 hectares with irrigation infrastructure, expanding to 20,000 hectares. producing high-quality wheat, white haricot beans, and red kidney beans will be cultivated for export.

This will be the biggest project of its kind in Malawi, creating thousands of jobs and generating huge revenues for the Company and its investors.

Background and Justification

Boosting Productivity & climate resilience:
Implementing mechanized and irrigated farming aligns with our sustainable agriculture strategy.
Driving Private Sector Growth:
Our private venture will stimulate agribusiness and generate foreign exchange.
Creating Jobs & Improving Livelihoods:
We will create permanent jobs in rural Malawi, fitting with Financial Institutions job creation focus.
Enhancing Exports:
Scaling up production will strengthen Malawi export capabilities supporting Financial Institutions trade goals

Key Objectives

Initially, 1.000 hectares of the target 10.000 hectares will be developed and cultivated, expanding to 20.000 hectares. establish modern irrigation infrastructure adaptable to different crops.

Produce and export wheat for consumption and export, and white haricot and red kidney beans for the international markets

Import substation and generate foreign exchange earnings for Malawi.

Equity investment from Partners will vary shareholding in the SPV.

Strategic Fit with Funding Partners' Objectives

Irrigated commercial farms in Malawi have demonstrated higher efficiency. By implementing irrigation, farms can produce multiple harvests annually, reducing dependence on seasonal rains. Our project promote sustainable agriculture, enhance food security, and create jobs. This project aligns with the Financial Institutions goals by:

  • Expanding climate-resilient farming through irrigation and mechanisation.
  • Increasing agricultural productivity and export capacity.
  • Strengthening private sector engagement in agribusiness to drive economic transformation.
  • Enhancing employment opportunities through structured commercial farming operations.

Strategic Fit with Funding Partners' Objectives

Expanding climate-resilient farming through irrigation and mechanisation.

Increasing agricultural productivity and export capacity.

Strengthening private sector engagement in agribusiness to drive economic transformation.

Enhancing employment opportunities through structured commercial farming operations..

Project Description

The project will be executed in a phased approach, ensuring sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and long-term viability. Each phase will focus on infrastructure development, mechanisation, and capacity building to maximise productivity and profitability.

Phase 1: Development of 1,000 Hectares

  • Land Preparation: Clearing, levelling, and soil testing to optimise fertility. 
  • Irrigation Installation: Deployment of pivot irrigation systems to ensure year-round cultivation.
  • Crop Establishment: Planting of high-quality White Haricot Beans, Red Kidney Beans, and Wheat using precision farming techniques. 
  • Crop Rotation Strategy: Incorporating wheat as both a summer and winter crop to optimise land use, with legumes to improve soil health, and maintain high yields.
  • Training & Capacity Building: Upskilling local workers in modern farming practices, equipment operation, and irrigation management.
  • Operational Setup: Establishing farm management structures, quality control measures, and supply chain integration.

Phase 2: Expansion – Scaling to 5,000–10,000 Hectares

Expansion will be guided by performance metrics, market demand, and funding availability. Key focus areas include:

  • Incremental Land Development: Gradual clearing and preparation of additional land for cultivation.
  • Irrigation Network Expansion: Extending pivot irrigation infrastructure to newly developed areas.
  • Increased Mechanisation: Procurement of additional tractors, harvesters, and processing equipment.
  • Diversification & Crop Rotation: Expanding wheat production for both winter and summer seasons, optimising soil fertility, and mitigating risk through rotational cropping.
  • Workforce Growth & Training: Progressive hiring and training of additional farm workers and management personnel.

 

Phase 3: Full-Scale Expansion to 20,000 Hectares

The final phase will involve large-scale expansion, establishing a self-sustaining agricultural hub. This will include:

  •  Land Development Acceleration: Rapid expansion of cultivated land using best-practice mechanised farming.
  • Advanced Irrigation & Water Management: Deployment of large-scale irrigation networks and water conservation strategies.
  • Supply Chain & Value Addition: Establishment of bean and wheat processing facilities for milling, packaging, and potential export readiness. 
  • Research & Innovation: Integration of precision agriculture, soil management techniques, and sustainable farming practices. 
  • Market Integration & Export Growth: Strengthening partnerships with international buyers and local industries to expand market access. 
  • Rural Economic Development: Creating long-term employment opportunities, supporting local businesses, and investing in community infrastructure.

Infrastructure Development (All Phases)

Supporting infrastructure will be developed to ensure efficient operations, product storage, and worker accommodation. This will include:

  • Road Network: Construction and maintenance of access roads within the farm to facilitate logistics and transportation. 
  • Storage Facilities: Establishment of modern warehouses and silos to store harvested beans and wheat, ensuring quality and reducing post-harvest losses. 
  • Housing & Amenities: Development of residential units for farm workers and management, including access to basic services. 
  • Workshops & Maintenance Facilities: Setting up workshops for machinery servicing, repair, and general farm maintenance. 
  • Utilities & Support Infrastructure: Development of essential services such as power supply, water access, and communication networks to sustain farm operations.

Sustainability

The need for large-scale commercial Farming

The shift from subsistence, rain-fed farming to mechanized, irrigated agriculture boosts Malawi’s economy, food security, and climate resilience, enhancing productivity, jobs, and foreign exchange earnings.

  • Increased Productivity
  • Year-Round Cultivation
  • Stable Employment & Economic Growth
  • Export Potential & Forex Generation
  • Climate Resilience & Sustainability
  • Alignment with Malawi’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda

Alignment with Malawi’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda

The Malawi 2063 (MW-2063) Vision and the Malawi National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) emphasise shifting from subsistence farming to commercial agribusiness as a key driver of economic transformation. This project directly aligns with these national goals by:

  • Increasing mechanisation and irrigation to boost agricultural efficiency.
  • Enhancing export competitiveness through large-scale production of high-value crops.
  • Generating formal employment and improving rural incomes.
  • Strengthening climate resilience through modern farming techniques.

Market Demand & Potential

The global market for White Haricot Beans, Red Kidney Beans, and Wheat presents significant opportunities, particularly in regions such as South Africa, Europe, rest of Africa and Asia where demand consistently surpasses domestic production.

Tiger Brands South Africa:

Tiger Brands is a multinational company with headquarters in South Africa. It Is the biggest importer of white haricot beans for their canning production. They Have received a sample of our white haricot beans and qualified it as much better then their canned white haricot beans and willing to discuss delivery with Lotus Holding.

Market Demand Stability

  • South Africa: Imports over 75,000 metric tons of dry beans annually (ITC Trade Map, 2023) and continues to depend on wheat imports due to domestic production shortfalls.
  • Europe: The EU imports over 400,000 metric tons of pulses annually, with growing demand for plant-based proteins (FAO, 2023).

Strategic Fit with Funding Partners' Objectives

Dutch Development Bank (FMO) FMO supports agribusiness investments that contribute to sustainable economic development. This project fits FMO’s strategy by:

  • Reducing Malawi’s dependence on food imports and boosting local production.
  • Supporting smallholder integration by creating structured supply chain linkages.
  • Promoting climate-adaptive agricultural practices through modern irrigation.
  • Generating foreign exchange earnings through export-driven farming.