Evidence Matters for Transformational Impact
Policy Briefs
MwAPATA was established with a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World via Michigan State University, and continues with the support of the Foundation, the United States Agency for International Development and several other partners.
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Plantation Forestry in Malawi: Challenges and Policy Options
December 16th, 2024
Forest plantations significantly contribute to Malawi’s economic growth through revenue generation, job
creation, and forex earnings. However, the plantation forest sector represents untapped potential. In this
study, we analyse the challenges that inhibit the development and growth of the forest plantation sector in Malawi. Additionally, we provide policy options to address these challenges and capitalise on the missed opportunities.
Innovative Options of Financing for Sustainable Forests Development and Management in Malawi
December 16th, 2024
Adequate and sustainable financing is crucial for the management of forest resources in developing
countries like Malawi. This study highlights potential forest financing mechanisms and instruments that
the government of Malawi and other stakeholders in the forest sector can explore to ensure the
sustainable management of forest resources.
September 27th, 2024
This policy brief explores how Malawi’s poultry value chain can drive economic growth, focusing on the impact of high feed costs and proposed reforms. By addressing feed prices, expanding maize production, and improving export processes, Malawi could boost poultry production, enhance food security, and add $31.5 million to GDP by 2030.
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Policy options for unlocking the potential of Malawi’s soybean value chain
September 27th, 2024
This research explores growth opportunities, key challenges, and policy reforms for enhancing the competitiveness of Malawi's soybean value chain. The study demonstrates that, if implemented, the suggested policy reforms can improve economic growth, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
September13th, 2024
The study aims to compare Malawi's forest plantation fees and prices with those in Sub-Saharan Africa to establish a competitive plantation fee structure for Malawi's forestry sector that supports sustainable management of plantation forests and enhances revenue generation for the Government of Malawi.
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The Status of Fertiliser and Soil Health Policies and Regulations in Malawi
August 19th, 2024
Malawi's agricultural sector faces significant challenges due to low crop productivity driven by limited access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and poor soil health. This policy brief assesses the status of Malawi's fertiliser and soil health policies, strategies and legislative frameworks. Using the Agricultural Innovation Systems-Policy Practice Index (AIS-PPI), a comprehensive analysis of the Malawi fertiliser and soil health policy and legislative ecosystem was conducted, revealing strong policy formulation but weak implementation capacity due to financial and human capacity constraints and bureaucratic delays.
Policy Options for Revitalizing Banana Value Chain in Malawi
August 13th, 2024
The banana value chain was selected as one of three priority value chains to drive inclusive agriculture transformation in Malawi. The brief identifies policy and investment interventions that can complement the current government efforts, supported by donors and the private sector, to revitalize the banana value chain in Malawi.
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Prospects and Barriers to Youth Engagement in Agriculture and Food Systems in Malawi (PB)
July 30th , 2024
The agriculture and food systems sector in Malawi has the potential to create employment and income opportunities for underemployed and unemployed youths. The paper examines the barriers and opportunities for youth within the country's agricultural sector. It also offers policy options and interventions to support and enhance youth engagement in agriculture and food systems.
The Economic and Social Cost of Land and Soil Degradation in Malawi
May 3rd, 2024
About 40% of Malawian soils are in poor health and continue to degrade annually through loss of topsoil, soil organic matter, and acidification. Malawi’s Action Plan on Fertilizer and Soil Health could improve agricultural productivity if comprehensively financed and implemented by all stakeholders
Welfare impacts of seasonal maize price fluctuations in Malawi
April 30th, 2024
Maize prices in Malawi fluctuate throughout the year, impacting both sellers and buyers. Using maize market price data and integrated household survey, we assess welfare impacts of seasonal maize price fluctuations. The paper discusses policy measures for price stabilization to mitigate fluctuations.
April 9th, 2024
Hundreds of groundnut farmers and traders in Central Malawi were interviewed to shed light on market access and practices in relation to the country's agricultural diversification objectives.
April 9th, 2024
The varieties, sources and quantity of groundnut seed used by farmers are evaluated, as well as the challenges faced by farmers during production. A seed choice experiment highlights farmer preferences.
March 11th, 2024
Early warning systems, disaster preparedness and response in Southern Malawi's are reviewed to highlight key challenges and identify recommendations for strengthening disaster risk management.
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Patterns of social safety nets, weather shocks, and household food security status in Malawi
February 17th, 2023
Social safety nets and farm input subsidies play a significant role in cushioning households against shocks, yet Government and development partners could improve targeting.
Agricultural Diversification Challenges and Opportunities in the Malawian Groundnut Value Chain
January 31, 2023
Groundnut has the potential to contribute to Malawi’s agricultural diversification agenda for both food and export purposes. Three main areas for policy consideration in the groundnut value chain are highlighted.
November 15, 2022
Scaling production of wheat in Malawi will be challenged by over-reliance on rain-fed production, limited access to improved varieties, fertilizers, poor agronomic practices, and lack of lucrative market access.
July 13, 2022
Over one million Malawians are involved in fishing and aquaculture. Representatives from the Southern African Development Community discuss how to improved the sector's contributions to economic growth.
Economic Viability of Small-Scale Aquaculture in Malawi
April 13, 2022
Small-scale aquaculture in Malawi is profitable, despite the challenges faced by fish farmers. There is potential to further profitability by improving the feed and fingerling production, identifying lower cost alternative feeds (such as insects), and investing in aquaculture extension.
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April 13, 2022
Swift humanitarian support is needed for flood victims. Access to agricultural inputs, especially seeds, is urgently needed to allow farmers to capture alluvial deposits and mitigate deleterious impacts of Ana.
Characteristics of the Small-Scale Aquaculture Sector in Malawi
March 31, 2022
We describe the small-scale aquaculture sector in Malawi using updated comprehensive data from a survey of fish farms across the country. The brief presents an overview of fish farm and farmer characteristics, farm management, input usage, production ,and marketing in the country.
March 30, 2022
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is very likely to have an impact on Malawi that could be detrimental. Fuel, food and fertilizer prices are likely to rise, but steps can be taken to soften the effects.
Opportunities for Small-Scale Aquaculture in Malawi
March 10, 2022
Small-scale aquaculture could contribute to improving rural livelihoods, but fish farmers are impeded by poor access to inputs like feed and fingerlings, and output markets. Promising areas for investment are highlighted in this Brief, based on an extensive new survey conducted in Malawi in 2021.
Distributional Impacts of Tobacco Cultivation in Malawi
March 9, 2022
This brief investigates the distributional impacts of smallholder tobacco cultivation in Malawi - who has grown, who is still growing, and their relative wealth. The declining share of farmers still producing tend to be relatively well-off and more productive. This has implications for the nation's diversification strategies.
Redesigning the Affordable Inputs Program to Diversify and Sustain Growth
February 8, 2022
The State President has suggested the need to redesign Malawi's agricultural productivity strategy that is currently centered primarily on fertilizer subsidies. This brief lays out evidence-based suggestions to accomplish this with short-, medium-, and long-term policy changes. Extension and infrastructure are key.
Policy Options for Smart Subsidies in Malawi
January 31, 2022
This Brief, prepared by MwAPATA and the International Food Policy Research Institute, examines alternative strategies to promote agricultural growth and alleviate poverty. The authors emphasize raising returns to fertilizer use and discuss how cash transfers could improve food security and resilience.
The 2020/21 Affordable Inputs Program: Key Implementation Issues and Messages
October 10, 2021
Three Institutions - MwAPATA, the Policy Support for Agricultural Transformation Project, and the European Union Delegation in Malawi - undertook independent assessments of the inaugural year of the AIP. This brief synthesizes these to highlight consistently noted successes and challenges.
The Inorganic Fertilizer Price Surge in 2021: Key Drivers and Policy Options
August 27, 2021
Retail prices for commonly used fertilizers have steeply risen in recent months. In this brief we break down the drivers and estimate that at least 90% of the increases can be attributed to changes in global markets for food, fuel, and fertilizer. Policy action requires difficult choices on how to distribute this imposed burden.
Assessing Alternatives to Tobacco Farming for Smallholders in Malawi
May 31, 2021
We assess the profitability of Malawian tobacco and potential alternatives. Over the past 10 years the share of smallholders growing tobacco has declined from 16% to just 5%. Improving value chains for alternative crops is likely more cost-effective than moving the few remaining smallholders out of tobacco.
Trends in Tobacco Production and Prices in Malawi
May 6, 2021
Diversification away from tobacco production is regarded as a priority for Malawi. This paper characterizes broad trends in production since 2000 in order to understand whether Malawi is shifting away from tobacco and how production and the prices received by farmers have changed over time.
Exploring Adoption Effects of Subsidies and Soil Fertility Management in Malawi
May 3, 2021
Malawi has provideded input subsidies for decades, yet key crop yields remain low. Low crop response to subsidized inputs is partly attributable to poor soil health and low adoption of soil and water conservation. This brief examines joint adoption of subsidized fertilizer and other fertility management practices.
Lessons Learnt: Promises, Achievements, Shortcomings and Pitfalls of Malawian Input Subsidies
April 12, 2021
Malawian governments have spent substantial resources on agricultural input subsidies over the years. While achievements can be celebrated, improvements could be made to increase the impact.
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Food Imports in Malawi: Trends, Drivers, and Policy Implications
January 29, 2021
Malawi has huge agricultural potential but, Malawi's food demand outpaces domestic production, making the nation a heavy net food importer. Drawing on several data sources, this paper provides an in-depth analysis of food import trends and their drivers, and explores policy options for shifting the trade balance.
Manufacturing and Industrialization in Malawi: Trends, Opportunities, and Strategies
October 21, 2020
We review experiences from other fast-growing economies in sub-Saharan Africa and newly industrialized economies in East Asia to draw out lessons for Malawi’s industrialization strategy to promote employment, wealth creation, and reduced economic vulnerabilities associated with primary agricultural products.
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An Early Assessment of the Impact of COVID-19 in Malawi
September 23, 2020
The COVID-19 crisis has impacted every facet of Malawi's agricultural value chains. We present and evaluate new data from across the spectrum to begin to allow policy makers to make decisions with information on how the country has been affected and discuss the importance of continued monitoring.
Unlocking Implementation Challenges: Lessons from the Agricultural Sector
August 27, 2020
This study investigates the causes of challenges in programs, policies and strategies implementation in agricultural sector and draw lessons that can inform the ministries responsible for agriculture and rural development address these challenges.
The Future of Smallholder Farming in Malawi
August 26, 2020
The brief characterizes smallholder farming in Malawi, projects the consequences of a ‘business as usual’ strategy and identifies promising government strategies to support smallholder livelihoods and contribute to wealth creation.
Agricultural Transformation in Malawi: A Call to Action
July 7, 2020
This brief seeks to 1) highlight the urgent need for change in Malawi’s economic management and performance, 2) highlight policy interventions that Malawi could adopt to achieve significant economic development, and 3) address the question of how the necessary transformation may be brought about.
