Abstract
Agriculture is the greatest source of economic development in Malawi. With decentralisation, the Ministry of Agriculture and
Food security through the Department of Agriculture Extension Services sector, established the New Agricultural Extension
policy to create participatory processes to address farmers’ needs. This is against the background that research has shown
that the more people participate in developmental issues the more their needs are prioritised, especially if the participatory
structures have legal backing and are respected by stakeholders, including government officials. This research engaged the
established participatory structures in agricultural processes and the extent of their efficiency. It emerged that these structured
were not as effective because committees that could allow for the participation of farmers in planning and decision making at
Area and District level are in fact not operational as expected.