Calls mount for Malawi food system reforms
Increased investment in research to reform Malawi’s agrifood system has emerged as one of the keys to drive the country’s economic transformation, enhancing livelihoods and ensuring food security.
The observation was made during the 14th Eminent Speaker Series held at the Bingu International Convention Centre in Lilongwe on Friday.
Held under the theme ‘Leveraging food systems to achieve livelihood resilience, nutritional security and environmental sustainability in Malawi’, the conference brought together experts from the academia, government, think-tanks, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

food security. | Eric Mtemenag’ombe
In his submission, international researcher Greenwell Matchaya said Malawi’s food system was yet to realise its full potential due to three major challenges, namely environmental unsustainability, climatic shocks vulnerability and inadequate nutritional provisions.
He said: “This can be traced to low investment and inefficient resource allocation.”
Matchaya, an economist, further observed that a significant portion of Malawi’s agricultural budget is directed towards the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) and recurrent expenditures, leaving little room for strategic investments that could strengthen the sector.
His sentiments come amid an K86 million funding gap for the Mega Farms Unit, which seeks to expand irrigation and mechanisation, both crucial for improving agricultural productivity.
Matchaya emphasised the need for multisectoral research to ensure that limited resources are channelled into initiatives yielding the highest return on investment.
On his part, National Planning Commission director of knowledge and learning Joseph Nagoli said leveraging research is essential for realising Malawi’s vision of a self-reliant economy as outlined in Malawi 2063, the country’s premier development blueprint.
He said: “The Malawi 2063 targets agricultural commercialisation and productivity. Therefore, we need to increase output so that we have surplus for agro-processing and industrialisation, which will inevitably drive economic growth.”
Nagoli, whose organisation oversees the implementation of the National Research Agenda launched in 2023, further emphasised the importance of collaboration among engineers, farmers, and marketers in strengthening local agrifood systems.
In his remarks, Oxfam in Malawi programme director for livelihood resilience Steve Kuliyazi said the discussions would contribute to enhancing food security, climate resilience, and sustainable environmental management.
Oxfam in Malawi, which sponsored the event, is implementing the ‘Increasing Resource Allocation and Accountability for the Nutrition Sector in Malawi Phase 2 project’, with funding from German Cooperation through GIZ.