The Imagine Afrika Permaculture Learning Centre (IAPLC) is steadily rising from the rich soils of Zomba, and with each brick laid, a powerful dream draws closer to reality.Once completed, IAPLC will become a vibrant hub for permaculture education in Southern Malawi — a place where knowledge, nature, and community meet. This center is not just a building; it’s a beacon of transformation for farmers, youth, educators, and change-makers.

Benefits to communities

1. Hands-On Permaculture Training

The IAPLC will offer practical, hands-on training in sustainable farming, regenerative agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. Participants will learn how to:

• Design and maintain food forests

• Build compost systems and organic gardens

• Use natural methods for pest control and soil fertility

• Apply agroecological principles in real-world settings

2. Empowering Local Farmers

Farmers will gain skills that directly increase yields, reduce dependency on chemical inputs, and protect the land. These techniques not only improve food security but also increase household income by enabling farmers to diversify their production.

3. Youth Skills & Employment Opportunities

Young people will access vocational training, opening doors to green jobs in agriculture, landscape design, tree planting, nursery management, and more. This helps combat youth unemployment while nurturing a generation of environmentally-conscious leaders.

4. Research & Innovation

The center will serve as a living lab — experimenting with new methods of soil regeneration, water harvesting, agroforestry, and climate-smart farming. The insights gained will be shared across Imagine Afrika’s networks to enhance practices regionally.

5. Community Demonstration Site

Local communities will be invited to visit and learn from demonstration gardens, showcasing what’s possible with even small plots of land. From backyard gardens to integrated farming systems, they’ll see real-life models they can replicate at home.

6. Training the Trainers

The IAPLC will train community leaders and educators who will return to their villages and schools to spread knowledge, enabling a ripple effect of learning and land restoration across Southern Malawi and beyond.

Construction Progress in pictures