MALAWI: Food production prospects expected to improve

Maize production in Malawi is expected to be up by 30%-40% compared to last year, according to a report by the SADC Food Security Ministerial Brief.

During a recent visit to Bvumbwe, Francis Battal, World Vision Malawi Relief Manager, and his team was showered with gifts of maize.

“We visited an area where farmers received seeds and cultivation training from World Vision, when local women presented the team with maize cobs. It is clear that food production has improved, and they may even have a surplus this year.”

Battal says one of Malawi’s major problems at this stage is the lack of buying power.

“Sixty-five percent of people in the rural areas live below the poverty line, and 40% of those can be classified as very poor. Even if there is food, people will not have the capacity to buy it.”

Food prices rose as a result of shortages and market liberalisation.

HIV/AIDS is also a problem that should be addressed immediately as it has reduced the producing power in Malawi. The pandemic is responsible for devastating the labour force and raising household dependency ratios. Many rural Malawians have been living at the edge of extreme vulnerability, a situation that has been compounded by HIV/AIDS. Consequently any slight shock or disaster will continue to pose a major threat.

There is no easy fix to the many years of eroded coping strategies and chronic vulnerability experienced by the very poor in Malawi, and only a comprehensive integrated programme will lessen the suffering.

“The future of World Vision Malawi’s relief programme, with more assistance from Support Offices, need to tackle issues of developmental relief, which in turn will create and promote livelihood security, and mitigate against disasters like recurrent floods and dry spells,” Battal concludes.