Greenhouse Farming to Wean Community College from Subsidy

By Anderson Fumulani

Mangochi Community Technical College (MCTC) is fast becoming a model of how Malawi’s technical and vocational institutions can combine skills training with entrepreneurship, all under one roof.  Once it was just a quiet campus offering hard skills training in Automobile Mechanics, Bricklaying, Carpentry and Joinery, Electrical Installation and Electronics, Fabrication and Welding, Edible Horticulture, ICT, Plumbing, and Tailoring and Fashion Design courses.

The story for Mangochi CTC has since changed, due to the introduction of greenhouse farming with financial support from the Skills for A Vibrant Economy (SAVE) Project. Construction of the green houses cost K70 million.

Green house farming has propelled Mangochi CTC to a new height of popularity for growing and selling a variety of vegetables including tomatoes and Chinese. The greenhouse farming is slowly helping the college to reduce dependence on government funding for its operations.

Principal of the College, Mbasa Mwawembe describes the greenhouse initiative as “a game‑changer that has transformed the college from a subsidy‑dependent institution to a self‑reliant income generator.” Suffering an initial loss in its first quarter, the greenhouse project jumped to profitability between January and March 2026, driven mainly by thriving tomato and vegetable sales patronized by the community of vendors around Mangochi town.

From Pilot Project to Profit Centre

Mangochi CTC financial records showed a sharp turnaround. During first production cycle of October–December 2025, the Greenhouse venture suffered a loss after generating a revenue of K691,550 from an expenditure of K782,400, resulting in a modest loss of K 90,850 or nine percent. The start‑up costs such as procurement of seedlings, irrigation systems, and tools contributed to the loss. By January–March 2026 cycle, however, income had jumped to K1.63 million from an investment expenditure of K764,600, representing a 29% profit.

In terms of daily earnings, the Principal said that they had risen from K10,000 during the launch phase to over MWK 100,000 at the peak season. “These revenues now finance staff allowances, stationery, transport, and minor maintenance,” Mwawembe explained, pointing out that these recurrent costs had relied on unpredictable and delayed government subsidy before.

New Skills Evolution

What began as an income experiment has evolved into a skills laboratory according to the Principal. “Students at Mangochi Community Technical College now learn high‑value greenhouse farming techniques - from nursery management and irrigation control to pest management, marketing, and record‑keeping,” he explained.

Since modern greenhouse farming is still rare in Mangochi District, the college has become a hub for the youth and community farmers seeking practical exposure to greenhouse agribusiness.

Plans are also underway to introduce short training courses open to local entrepreneurs particularly women, youths and other smallholder farmers, turning knowledge transfer into an additional income stream, said the principal.

Scaling Up for Greener Future

In the coming quarters, Mangochi CTC aims to expand tomato production, institute weekly profit tracking, and channel part of its surplus earnings into the college’s recurrent budget. The medium‑term plan (1–2 years) envisions additional greenhouses, branded produce targeting local and tourism markets, and a seedling nursery serving community growers.

Mwawembe said 30 to 40 percent of profits will be reinvested in strengthening infrastructure - fencing, water reservoirs, and protective netting - to maintain production consistency. The college is also exploring partnerships with TEVETA, Islamic Relief, and local councils for matching‑grant financing to upscale operations.

Sustaining the Institution

The greenhouse project has provided stability at a time when public institutions remain vulnerable to irregular government disbursements. In early 2026, for example, the college opened the academic term with a negative balance of MWK 228,700, but the greenhouse income kept its operations afloat.

“The project gives us breathing space,” said Mwawembe. “We can maintain key functions and motivate staff even when government funding delays,” he added. Proceeds have supported staff refreshments, office supplies, and local transport, reinforcing morale and productivity, he said.

A Blueprint for Other Colleges

An observer and regular buyer of vegetables at Mangochi CTC, Mrs Rhoda Kapichi suggested that the institution can be a model to other government institutions to emulate the Income Generating Activities (IGA) practice and guide for self-sustainability rather than solely depend on government funding. She said Mangochi CTC could guide other community technical colleges reforming under the SAVE Project. Keys to success include transparent accounting, strategic reinvestment, and student participation at every stage of the production cycle.

As the greenhouses expand and the curriculum broadens, Mangochi CTC stands out as proof that education and entrepreneurship can grow on the same soil, within the same compound and under the same roof to produce profits, practical skills, and community prosperity.

What started as a pilot program under the SAVE Project has blossomed into one of Malawi’s quiet business revolutions: a technical college earning its way while cultivating the next generation of agripreneurs.

The SAVE Project is funded by the World Bank for US100 – million. And Mangochi CTC is among the 15 beneficiary Competitive Grant Winner (CGW) institutions.