New research has called on Malawi to rethink how it delivers social support programmes, arguing that households accessing multiple interventions are more resilient to shocks and more food secure than those supported through single programmes.
The findings were presented on Thursday in Lilongwe during a dissemination workshop organised by the MwAPATA Institute, an agricultural policy think tank, under the Food Systems Transformation Initiative, supported by the German development agency GIZ.
William Chadza, Executive Director of the MwAPATA Institute, said the study shows clear benefits from layered support, noting that while most Malawian households face repeated climate and economic shocks, only a small proportion benefit from more than one social support programme.
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According to the research, about 67% of households experience multiple shocks each year, yet only around 27% access more than one form of social protection.
“Households supported by multiple social protection programmes record much higher resilience and food security outcomes, yet only about 27% of households currently benefit from more than one programme,” Chadza said.
He added that the study found households accessing up to four social support programmes had significantly higher food consumption scores and were more likely to be classified as resilient than those receiving none or only one programme.
According to Chadza, the findings challenge existing policy approaches that restrict households from accessing multiple social protection interventions.
“Deliberately bundling complementary programmes such as cash transfers, farm input subsidies, public works initiatives and school feeding programmes would better address the multiple and overlapping vulnerabilities faced by poor households,” Chadza said.
In contrast, participation in a single programme was found to have limited impact on long-term resilience.
Chadza said key enablers of food systems transformation continue to be underfunded, undermining progress.
“Critical areas such as agricultural extension services, research, irrigation, storage and infrastructure are not receiving adequate investment, especially at local level, despite their importance in building resilient food systems,” he said.
In his remarks, National Planning Commission Acting Director for Knowledge and Learning Andrew Jamali said the research provides critical evidence to guide policy decisions at a time when Malawi is facing recurring food insecurity, climate shocks and macroeconomic pressures.
He said the findings offer insights into how social protection programmes can be redesigned to have a stronger and more sustainable impact.
Jamali added that the research also raises important questions about whether current social protection packages are optimally designed.
“We cannot design effective programmes without evidence, and this research gives us insights on how to build resilience across the food system, from production to access, distribution and consumption.
“It helps us assess whether our programmes are really optimal in terms of the support we are providing to households and their long-term sustainability,” Jamali said.
He noted that while short-term relief measures, such as maize procurement, remain necessary during times of crisis, the country must also focus on strengthening household capacity to withstand future shocks through integrated and evidence-based interventions that link safety nets to livelihoods and productive activities.
At district level, officials said gaps in coordination and implementation continue to limit the impact of food systems initiatives.
Mike Fesson Mwakhwawa, Director of Economic Planning and Development for Dedza District Council, said improved agricultural production has not translated into better nutrition and livelihoods for many communities.
“Despite being a food basket district, improved production has not translated into better nutrition and livelihoods, which points to coordination gaps across the food system—from production to consumption and waste management,” Mwakhwawa said.
He added that social cash transfer programmes remain critical for supporting the most vulnerable households who lack labour capacity, but stressed the need for stronger linkages between safety nets and livelihood interventions to help households graduate out of poverty and become more resilient.
The study’s findings also highlight the need to shift public spending away from a heavy focus on maize production towards more diversified, nutrition-sensitive and resilient food systems.
Researchers warned that continued overinvestment in maize inputs risks undermining long-term food security, nutrition and resilience.
The research further identified weak enforcement of food safety and waste management standards as a growing risk, citing limited capacity among regulatory institutions and district authorities to monitor food handling practices, chemical use and disposal systems.
The research also examined Malawi’s broader food systems policy environment and found that while national policies are largely aligned with regional and global frameworks, implementation gaps remain a major challenge, particularly at district level.
The Food Systems Transformation Initiative is being implemented in Dedza, Chikwawa and Mzimba districts, and works with government institutions, civil society and the private sector to support Malawi’s food systems reform agenda through evidence-based policy engagement.