Drawing participation from various sectors, the National consultation on the acceleration of food systems transformation in Malawi, accorded players platform to build on the momentum generated from national pathways for food systems transformation in building healthier, sustainable and equitable food systems.
Malawi’s independent agricultural think tank MwAPATA Institute Executive Director William Chadza said participants deliberated some of the challenges, opportunities and how they can accelerate change in the country’s food systems.
Among others, he cited supply and demand side challenges with production hampered by frequent impacts on climate change citing the El Nino phenomenon which has negatively affected production particularly the maize crop.
Chadza further noted that droughts, floods have negatively affected production, extension and irrigation.
“There are a number of suggestions which stakeholders are coming up with in terms of how we can move forward. I think they’re looking at issues around diversification in terms of both production and even diversification in terms of diets. How can we improve the extension systems so that farmers have got access to information, especially smallholders farmers who are key in terms of food production at household level?
“They’re also looking at how do we move into large scale production? I think through interventions such as the mega farms initiative in terms of both crop production aquaculture as well, but they’re also looking at how we can improve the irrigation so that many smallholders’ farmers have got access to irrigation especially using solar technology”.
National Planning Commission Research Manager Dr. Andrew Jamali underscored the importance of food systems as it cuts across the sectors of health, production, distribution marketing and agro-processing.
He noted these align with the key pillars and enablers of the MW2063 to the extent that when implementing food systems, the key intervention are equally being addressed.
“So this is a very strategic engagement because we’re looking at priortising what kind of interventions need to be priortised in terms of accelerating the food systems, transformation agenda for Malawi as you know that Malawi is confronted with so many challenges with regards to the food systems.
“We can talk about the Cyclones, the low productivity, land issues all these need to be contextualized and really themed up for a particular programme of action that should address how we can make food available on the table”
Director of Feed the Future food systems for nutrition innovation Lab Dr. Shibani Ghoshi hailed Malawi’s development of comprehensive plans for food systems transformation.
An investment plan is being formulated comprising four areas and as a nutritionist, she is proud to see the focus on perishables, food and livestock products and aquaculture.
“They have clearly stated out what kind of investments would need to be made and there have also been good discussions on what kind of financing needs to be unlocked not just investments coming from the donor sector”
Secretary for Agriculture Dr. Medrina Mloza Banda indicated that previously recognised as the region’s bread basket, Malawi is currently grappling with food insecurity.
She stressed that challenges confronting the food systems demand urgent attention and called on the need to ensure that farmers have the knowledge and information on enhancing food systems.
Banda then urged participants to bring forth expertise and insights to drive meaningful change in communities.
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