‘Govt negligence pushing food security on the brink’

Malawi’s economy heavily relies on rain-fed agriculture, with smallholder farmers playing a vital role in producing the nation’s food. However, despite their crucial contribution, other quarters feel these farmers are consistently left without adequate support from the government, exacerbating the challenges they face. As we speak, an alarming 4.4 million people are experiencing an acute food shortage in the country. FATSANI GUNYA engaged Civil Society Agriculture Network (Cisanet) Board Chairperson, HERBERT CHAGONA, who delves into the pressing issue of the perceived neglect and its detrimental impact on Malawi’s food security in particular and the agricultural sector as a whole. -Excerpts-

Q. Why would you claim that there is not enough commitment from the Government to ensure food security in the country?

A. Arguments may vary, depending on where one stands, but this does not need rocket science to prove. Of late, Malawi has been regressing in enhancing its food and nutrition security status, let alone being counted as a regional good basket. We appreciate that other causes of this were or have been beyond the government’s control, including climate change factors like Cyclone Freddy and the prolonged rainfall. Cisanet also feels a lot more others result from our own making as a nation. Governments are there primarily to provide policy directions in almost all aspects of life. The same applies to agriculture, which coincidentally forms Malawi’s economic mainstay. We have policies that are increasingly becoming not in tandem with each other, in contradiction and inconsistent. This is an area that we feel the government has fallen short on.

Q. Would you cite examples of how the government has failed farmers, consequently contributing to the detriment of the country’s food systems?

A. It is all connected, somehow. Inadequate allocation of funding is one of them. The government has not prioritised sufficient financial resources to address food security issues. Insufficient funding leads to limited investments in agriculture, irrigation systems, and infrastructure development, which are crucial for enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food availability. A very good example is the Green Belt Initiative which has not been allocated funding from government hence defeating the much-talked about mega farms dream. There is also a lack of effective implementation too. This may be due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, or inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. As a result, the intended benefits and outcomes of food security initiatives are not adequately realised. Limited access to farm inputs for small-holder farmers, who constitutes a large portion of the population, is another. The government has also not invested enough in climate adaptation strategies, such as water management infrastructure, weather forecasting systems, or promoting climate-resilient agricultural practices. This lack of commitment exacerbates the vulnerability of farmers to climate-related shocks and affects food production and availability. Practically, government is just moving in cycles; failing to break even issues of shortage of maize in the country.

Q. There is talk of enhancing irrigation, agriculture commercialisation, and mega-farms to help offset the perennial hunger in Malawi. Doesn’t this warrant some praise?

A. When we speak out on some areas we feel are worthy of improvement, it doesn’t have to sound like we are attacking the powers that be. In fact, we remain government’s development partners. No government can effect meaningful change to a nation without concerted efforts from around it.  We are in this together. That is why we try to provide checks and balances. We also provide what we think are solutions to the same. As Cisanet, our sole commitment is to the people on Malawi’s food production chain. We value every life. Keeping the farmer happy is critical to fostering socio-economic development for an agro-based economy like ours. Food is in itself, life and access to food is, therefore, a fundamental human right that is not to be denied to anyone, systematically or otherwise.

Q. Malawi National Water Authority recently announced plans to enforce billing irrigation farmers as stipulated in the 1969 Water Resources Act. What is your take on this in line with Malawi’s efforts towards agricultural commercialisation?

A. While it is essential for the [Malawi] National Water Authority to regulate and ensure fair usage of water resources, the enforcement of billing irrigation farmers under the Water Resources Act may have negative consequences for the agriculture sector. Firstly, our findings indicate that to bill a client, the National Water Authority looks at the volume of water used, with the minimum amount being K10 000. This is more financial burden on the already struggling farmer; potentially hindering the growth and development of their businesses. This can discourage small-scale farmers from investing in irrigation and limit their ability to increase productivity and commercialise their operations. The development could also lead to inequality in access to water resources and hinder inclusive growth in the agriculture sector. It may disproportionately affect small-scale farmers with limited resources and struggle to afford the minimum billing amount. Without adequate support for irrigation farmers, the sector may struggle to attract the necessary investments for its commercialisation. The mega farms dream, for instance, may eventually become yet another white elephant for the nation.

Q. What alternative approaches would you propose for the authorities to adopt to create a win-win situation?

A. True, it may be worth exploring alternative approaches or measures to mitigate the challenges faced by irrigation farmers while still ensuring fair usage of water resources.  For a start, the approaches should address the issue of fair use and management of water resources. These may include promoting water-saving technologies, capacity-building programs for farmers on efficient irrigation practices, and establishing water user cooperatives to collectively manage and pay for water resources.