By Pemphero Malimba
Some nutrition and agriculture experts have urged the government to consider introducing a universal subsidy programme (USP) in agriculture to help address malnutrition and food insecurity in Malawi.
They made the call in Lilongwe Tuesday during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting on food systems transformation.
The meeting was organised by the National Planning Commission (NPC) and Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) with support from the Global Panel on Agriculture and Food Systems for Nutrition.
The delegates said embracing USP and allocating more funding towards the agriculture and nutrition sectors can help transform Malawi’s food systems.
Although some delegates objected to the need for USP based on inefficiencies recorded under the Affordable Inputs Programme, Mary Shaba, representative of the Nutrition Society of Malawi, noted that Malawi’s agriculture and nutrition sectors had performed well when using USP.
“Previously, the cost of fertiliser was subsidised by at least 25 or 30 percent. This enabled farmers to grow, harvest and sell enough produce,” Shaba said.
She said the programme could enable more farmers to grow crops and rear livestock more easily.
“We need to learn from what worked in the past and build on successful initiatives. If there were issues, let us address them and I believe Malawi will become a different country to live in,” Shaba said.
Speaking earlier, Alexander Kalimbira, Associate Professor of Human Nutrition at Luanar, said finding lasting solutions to issues such as obesity and stunting is crucial for the country.
Kalimbira reiterated that Malawi has high rates of stunting, over 30 percent.
“We have demonstrated before that we are a country capable of reducing various forms of malnutrition, including stunting levels, which have reduced over the years. However, we need to accelerate the reduction at a rate that we are happy with,” he said.
NPC Research Manager Andrew Jamali said the commission was committed to supporting the Ministry of Agriculture in addressing challenges the sector faces.
Jamali emphasised that NPC’s role is to ensure it provides sufficient evidence so that decisions supporting such initiatives are well-informed and contribute effectively to addressing Malawi’s food system challenges.
“This interface is crucial as we explore and promote innovative ways already existing in the field to enhance food system structures.
“Malawi faces numerous challenges such as climate variability and soil fertility decline, but government ministries and departments have implemented various programmes to improve the situation,” Jamali said.
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