Policy Support for Enhancing Food Security and Livelihoods in Malawi - GCP/MLW/074/NOR

Abstract

Since Malawi achieved independence in 1964, agriculture has been the mainstay of the country’s economy. However, agriculture production in Malawi has been greatly affected by droughts, floods and pest outbreaks in recent years. The lack of agricultural diversification has hampered progress in addressing malnutrition among Malawians; in addition, micronutrient deficiencies are a public health concern. The country also faces serious climate change risks, the most significant ones being changes in rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. Against this background, the project aimed to strengthen the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) to collect, compile, analyse, store, and disseminate relevant and timely agricultural statistics and other information on food and agriculture, for better informed decision-making on the intensification of sustainable and climate smart agricultural production. Overall, the project was conceived to ensure that the monitoring of the agricultural sector and the capacity to implement the National Agriculture Policy (NAP) and National Agriculture Investment Plan (NAIP) were strengthened.