The main feature of PELUM is conservation of natural resources such as soil, forests and water in farming; and promotion of organic farming.

PELUM Malawi Chapter started in 1998, is registered with the Registrar general with 21 (see Annex 1) member organizations (more organizations have shown interest to join the association). It aims at improving the livelihoods of marginalized communities in Malawi by promoting food and nutrition security and local participation through the integration of local knowledge systems. Through its member organizations, the Association promoted the growing of traditional crops which are drought tolerant such as pigeon peas, sorghums and cow peas. The Association implemented a project called Innovation Africa, which promoted farmer-led documentation to promote food security and this was piloted in Karonga District, Lupembe Extension Planning Area in collaboration with Karonga Agricultural Development Division (KRADD). The project also promoted the development of local food security plans, which was an inter-country project involving Malawi and Tanzania. At the policy level, PELUM Association was the first civil society organization to alert the government of Malawi about the absence of the Agriculture Policy through a study conducted by Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) as a member of the PELUM Association.