About us
Who We Are
Our work bridges innovation and real-world application. We not only develop or supply technology; we also test, refine, and support it in the environments in which it is ultimately used.
Our Purpose
We exist to help communities thrive by applying technology in ways that are practical, accessible, and impactful. Whether improving farm productivity, safeguarding healthcare systems, or demonstrating climate-smart practices, our focus is on solutions that work today and remain viable tomorrow.
Welcome to Our Innovation Company
Meet our team
Dedicated, ambitious, and youthful team driving our mission
Alinafe Emmanuel Kaliwo
Managing Director
Fred Sawasawa
ICT Officer
Edna Kachimera
Accounts Officer
Evelyn Kaliwo
Operations Lead & Farm Manager
Our Board of Directors
Dedicated professionals driving our success
Mr Patrick Chalu Phalira
Company Secretary & Board Chairman
CA. Patrick Chalu Phalira is a seasoned Chartered Accountant and senior corporate executive with extensive experience in financial management, governance, risk oversight and organisational leadership across the private sector, international NGOs and public institutions. He currently serves as Chief Finance Officer and Company Secretary of Mwaiwathu Private Hospital Limited and has previously held senior roles at Aero Group, Charles Stewart Day Old Chicks, Computerland, PricewaterhouseCoopers and MMK International. He holds an Executive MBA in Finance, a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Accounting, and professional qualifications including ACCA, CA (Malawi), CIMA and certification in Advanced Governance, Risk Management and Compliance. With deep expertise in IFRS and GAAP compliance, financial reporting, audit, risk management and systems strengthening, he provides strong financial and governance oversight to support Mechro’s growing portfolio across Irrigation Technologies, the Munda Digital Platform, TempCras Cold Chain Monitoring, Tulye Foods, Mechro Demonstration Farm and MATI.
Dr Isaac Rhinnexious Fandika
Board Director & Chief Scientific Advisor
Dr Isaac R. Fandika is a distinguished Irrigation Agronomist and agricultural research leader with more than twenty-five years of experience in agricultural water management, climate-resilient farming systems and food value chain innovation. He has held senior national roles including Chief Agricultural Research Scientist, Research Station Manager and National Research Coordinator for Soils and Agricultural Engineering at the Department of Agricultural Research Services, and has led major research programmes in partnership with institutions such as ACIAR, CSIRO, the African Union, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, IAEA, IFAD, CIAT and ICRISAT. With deep expertise in irrigation science, soil-water management, crop water-use efficiency and climate change adaptation, he has contributed to national irrigation policy development, served on the Malawi Irrigation Board and published extensively in peer-reviewed journals. His research leadership, policy insight and farmer-centred innovation experience strengthen Mechro’s governance across Irrigation Technologies, the Munda Digital Platform, TempCras Cold Chain Monitoring, agricultural training and climate-smart agriculture initiatives.
Mr Geoffrey Mwepa
Board Director & Chief Technical Advisor
Mr Geoffrey Mwepa is an accomplished agricultural development professional with extensive experience in sustainable land and water management, climate-resilient farming systems, and farmer-centred innovation. He has contributed to major national and regional initiatives focused on improving soil health, irrigation efficiency, and smallholder productivity, and has worked with international partners, including CSIRO, VIA, CIAT, and ACIAR, on projects that apply innovative monitoring technologies and participatory learning approaches. With strong expertise spanning research, extension, community mobilisation and policy engagement, he brings grounded, field-oriented insight that strengthens the Board’s oversight of Irrigation Technologies, the Munda Digital Platform, TempCras Cold Chain innovations and Mechro’s climate-resilience and farmer-support initiatives.
Dr Grivin Chipula
Board Director & Chief Research/Commercialisation Advisor
Dr Grivin Chipula is a distinguished irrigation and water resources engineer with over twenty years of experience in irrigation design, agricultural water management, climate change adaptation, renewable energy integration and environmental assessment. An Associate Professor at LUANAR, he has provided academic leadership in irrigation engineering, hydrology, soil and water conservation and wastewater reuse, and has served as Deputy Head and Head of the Agricultural Engineering Department while supervising extensive postgraduate research. He has also led and contributed to major consultancy and advisory assignments for FAO, SADC, IFAD, UNDP, World Vision, CRS, Oxfam, the African Development Bank and the Shire Valley Transformation Programme. A widely published scholar and policy contributor, Dr Chipula brings deep technical expertise, strong regulatory insight, and engineering governance experience that strengthen Mechro’s oversight across Irrigation Technologies, the Munda Digital Platform, TempCras Cold Chain Monitoring, Tulye Foods, Mechro Demonstration Farm, and MATI.
Mr Robert Isaac Kawiya
Board Director & Chief Environmental Advisor
Mr Robert Isaac Kawiya is a highly experienced environmental management specialist, horticulturist and senior municipal executive with over four decades of leadership in urban planning, environmental governance, climate change policy and sustainable development. He has held senior roles at Blantyre City Assembly, including Acting Chief Executive and Director of Leisure, Culture and Environmental Services, where he led reforms in financial management, waste management, urban greening and mobility planning. He has contributed to Malawi’s national climate and environmental policy framework as an Environmental Impact Assessment expert, a member of the NAMA development team and a contributor to Malawi’s National Communications to the UNFCCC. With extensive experience working on development initiatives supported by UNDP, GEF and government partners, and a background in renewable energy, waste management and community development, Mr. Kawiya provides strategic environmental and governance insight that strengthens Mechro’s oversight across irrigation technologies, the Munda Digital Platform, TempCras Cold Chain Monitoring, Tulye Foods, Mechro Demonstration Farm and MATI.