استكشاف الملاحظات الرسمية للحوار

Vía de Acción 3: Impulsar la producción favorable a la naturaleza La productividad del sector agrícola, ganadero y pesquero es muy baja y la falta de ventas reduce aún más los ingresos. También es común el obstáculo de las cargas fiscales y elevadas tasas municipales que se suman a la carga de costos existentes en un contexto de baja productividad y venta. Resaltan los siguientes puntos: •Crear un banco de semillas de calidad en Guinea Ecuatorial (fácil acceso y a bajos costos). •Conservación y almacenamiento de alimentos. •Poner en marcha el laboratorio bromatológico para el... قراءة المزيد diagnóstico de las enfermedades animales. Habilitar la ruta de acceso. •Contar con una fábrica de pienso. Se discutió opciones, si estatal, privada, compartida, extranjera. •Atención focalizada a los pescadores que padecen profundas necesidades y riesgos en la mar por la falta de servicios de reparación de embarcaciones tradicionales, falta de equipo de seguridad y supervivencia en la mar como radar en caso de siniestro, repuestos de motores, facilidades para la conservación, manipulación y venta del pescado fresco. En todos los sectores -agrícola, ganadero, pesquero, bosques y forestal- existe una alta necesidad de asistencia técnica en la producción, de diagnósticos de los problemas, de coordinación y financiamiento para la investigación. De manera transversal, se requiere de la coordinación entre el Plan nacional de política científica del CICTE y demás instituciones de investigación. Por consenso, se requiere un fondo nacional de apoyo a la investigación científica y tecnológica de Guinea Ecuatorial. La solución de las vulnerabilidades debe ser integral, es decir, incluir financiación a través de fondos fiduciarios, tecnológica, formación de capacidades, aplicación de leyes, reconocimiento de las autoridades directamente en campo. Vía de Acción 2: Garantizar el acceso a alimentos sanos y nutritivos para todos Los alimentos sanos y nutritivos son caros, lo que limita a que la población acceda a ellos. En consecuencia, las enfermedades como la obesidad, anemia y la malnutrición infantil han ido en aumento. Existe una deficiente manipulación de los alimentos en la cadena, desde el transporte hasta la exposición en los mercados. El control de calidad de los alimentos en los establecimientos de venta, mercados públicos y abacerías es bajo. Resaltan los siguientes puntos: • Bajo conocimiento y disponibilidad de información sobre alimentos nutritivos y manejo apropiado de los alimentos en mercados. Introducir educación de alimentación equilibrada en enseñanza primaria y superior. Realizar campañas continuas sobre la alimentación sana, que no se suspenda. • Implementar un programa de suplementación con hierro, Vitamina A y desparasitación a los niños menores de 5 años y niñas adolescentes. • Redinamizar el Comité de Coordinación Multisectorial de Seguridad Alimentaria y Nutricional. • Aumentar los anuncios de los beneficios de la lactancia materna y disminuir la publicidad de leches que la sustituyen. Incluso en los hospitales actualmente se promueve más el uso del biberón, lo que perjudica la lactancia materna que conlleva a mayores beneficios para el desarrollo físico y mental del recién nacido. Vía de Acción 4: Promover medios de vida equitativos Para aumentar la equidad en los sectores productivos, se hizo un llamado al Gobierno para que asuma su rol en apoyo, asesoramiento, mayor presencia del servicio de extensión agraria, modernización de técnicas para el aumento de la producción, control de precios, inclusión de las mujeres en los mercados nacionales e internacionales (exportación de productos), protección fitosanitaria para que el producto llegue al mercado con la mejor calidad, seguimiento en la forma de cultivar e insumos utilizados para cumplir con las condiciones mínimas sanitarias, actualización de registros de las asociaciones, trabajo activo del INPAGE, implementación de la Ley Agraria, revaloración de la actividad agrícola, etc. Se expresó que la producción es tradicional y la mayor dolencia es la falta de recursos. Se solicita al Ministerio de Agricultura implementar criterios de equidad en el reparto y acceso de apoyos. Que exista un procedimiento regulado por un comité que analice las propuestas de los distintos productores y créditos. El Covid-19 mermó la equidad social porque los precios aumentaron, con una mayor afectación para las poblaciones más vulnerables. La desigualdad se acentúa con la falta de regulación en los precios. La exclusión de las poblaciones rurales se manifiesta también en las dificultades para distribuir los productos agrícolas. Actualmente se transporta según la capacidad económica de los productores. Se requiere mejorar la equidad en el transporte rural para cubrir las necesidades de la población rural. – “Lo que producimos a mano no llega ni para un pueblo durante el año.” Existe menosprecio cultural a la actividad productiva de las mujeres que profundiza la desigualdad. Faltan programas para el desarrollo rural dirigidos a los jóvenes donde se revalore el trabajo productivo. Ausencia de condiciones de sanidad para la comercialización de los productos agrícolas que se producen de manera local. Se desconoce la fecha de caducidad de algunos productos. Algunos recurren a los productos importados porque son menos caros y porque éstos sí ofrecen información en función de las categorías. قراءة القليل

Lema: “La alimentación sana asegura el futuro” “Si quieres escuchar la epopeya del trovador, escúchalo de la boca del mismo trovador. Son ustedes los trovadores, queremos escuchar la poesía de vuestras bocas.” En los Diálogos Nacionales están presentes todos los actores de la cadena alimentaria: agricultores, ganaderos, pescadores, importadores de alimentos, sector salud e investigación, veterinarios, técnicos del medio ambiente, agrónomos, sociedad civil, distribuidores y expendedores en mercados Vía 3: Impulsar la producción favorable a la naturaleza Ponencia: Ministerio de... قراءة المزيد Agricultura, Ganadería, Bosques y Medio Ambiente Grandes importaciones de alimentos para abastecer mercados locales, baja producción agropecuaria (subsistencia) y pesca artesanal, escasez de almacén de alimentos; alimentación poco nutritiva, alto ritmo de crecimiento poblacional, pocos productores de alimentos, baja innovación tecnológica, limitada implicación de actores. Las estrategias para la producción alimentaria: Plan de Seguridad Alimentaria de la Cumbre en Roma, 1996; Primera Conferencia Económica para fomentar el sector alimentario, 1997; participación en la Cumbre de Maputo, 2003, donde se estipuló reservar 10% del presupuesto para la seguridad alimentaria, ratificado en la Declaración de Malabo, 2014. La inversión pública en el sector agropecuario fue 0.50% (2019) y 1.89% (2020). El Programa Especial para la Seguridad Alimentaria (PESA), 2001; Programa Nacional para la Seguridad Alimentaria (PNSA), 2012; simposio con empresas para el desarrollo, 2013; NEPAD, plan de acción en la Unión Africana; Programa de Inversión de Sistemas Alimentarios. Sin embargo, no han sido consolidados por limitación en financiamiento. Para enfrentar situaciones como el Covid-19 se requieren compromisos del gobierno y alianzas entre actores para contar y ejecutar un sistema alimentario formalizado, permanente y sostenible. Ponencia: Instituto Nacional de Conservación del Medio Ambiente La deforestación fue 0,34% y la degradación del 0,89% (2004-2014). Para producir de manera favorable con la naturaleza, se deberá aumentar la diversidad en los sistemas de producción (el monocultivo gasta el ecosistema del suelo); mayor producción por unidad de superficie; fomentar el hábito de reciclaje; resiliencia a la vulnerabilidad climática, tomando en cuenta la tala inmoderada de árboles. Vía 1: Garantizar el acceso a alimentos sanos y nutritivos para todos Ponencia: Autoridad del Programa Nacional de Nutrición Existe inseguridad en la alimentación sanitaria por los elevados precios de importaciones, deficientes condiciones de transporte, inadecuada manipulación y conservación de alimentos, deficiente legislación en alimentación y nutrición, bajo poder adquisitivo, acceso limitado de agua y saneamiento en entornos rurales, bajos conocimientos en hábitos nutricionales. La malnutrición es la base de la mortalidad infantil. La desnutrición crónica es 26%, el bajo peso al nacer en la población más pobre es 16%; la anemia en niños menores de 5 años es 70%, igual en hogares con ingresos altos y bajos. 20% de la población cubre necesidades alimentarias diarias. La afectación en la salud es mayor en mujeres: 38% de las mujeres y 23% de los hombres tiene obesidad y sobrepeso; 49% de las mujeres tiene anemia en comparación con 22% en hombres. Se cuestionó la fiabilidad de conservar alimentos en los mercados porque éstos se disponen en el suelo, al aire libre y se mezclan alimentos con productos tóxicos. Se recomendó mejorar la adopción de prácticas alimenticias saludables en las familias, escuelas y el empoderamiento de mujeres en educación nutricional. Vía 4: Promover medios de vida equitativos Ponencia: Ministerio de Asuntos Sociales e Igualdad de Género Se requiere promover el empleo pleno y decente para todos en la cadena de valor, reducir riesgos para los más pobres, eliminar la pobreza de las mujeres, eliminar desigualdades en el acceso y distribución de recursos. La mayor parte de los alimentos en los mercados son producidos por mujeres. La mano de obra de la mujer en el sector supera ampliamente la de los hombres. قراءة القليل

The government supported subsidy programme (Agricultural Inputs Programme - AIP) was a contentious issue with some thinking that it is a necessary evil that meets the nations’ food self-sufficiency goal. In the current season, the yields are at highest levels compared to the average of the last five years. Other members felt that AIP as a social protection instrument has outlived its life span and the nation needs to graduate from it despite all the positive restructuring it has gone through over the years. Still others noted that the subsidy program is good and it needs to diversify beyond ... قراءة المزيدfocusing on maize-centric to other crops such as legumes and livestock so that it contributes fully to Action Track #1 in providing safer and healthy foods. Other views bordered on its net negative effect on the agricultural sector budget vote since other critical services such as research and extension suffer low allocations though the overall agricultural budget is able to meet the Malabo target of 10% of the national budget. The Eastern Region also brought about the contradicting discussion on the benefits of fishing as a major source of income in the region. Others argued that overreliance on fishing affects production of crops since most men are busy with the fish business, hence not putting much effort to produce other foods to enhance diet diversification. Another interesting scenario came out on the issue of the tourist attractions in the region such as Lake Malawi and Liwonde National Park which positively affect the economic choices in the district such as offering employment to young people. Other participants felt that the tourists’ attraction are bringing about diseases in the region. Another interesting phenomenon was high migration of young people to other countries especially South Africa due to high unemployment rates that give them livelihood options whilst on the other side, it also triggers shortage of labour in the district. قراءة القليل

8. Cross cutting outcomes: Productive partnerships The regional dialogue also explored how stakeholders can work well together for collective action and forge powerful partnerships towards transformations of food systems. The participants noted that currently, the region has several partners working in the food systems including NGOs both local and international, faith based organizations, farmer based organizations including cooperatives, government departments, private sector players and other food industry players but they rarely work together to share lessons and best practices. This was l... قراءة المزيدinked to lack of proper coordination at regional and district levels including between and among ministries, departments and agencies of the government despite existing structures in the decentralized system of governance. The participants noted that the opportunities, enablers and recommendations to transform food systems are multi-sectoral in nature, hence deliberate efforts need to be put in place for a coordinated approach at the regional and district level to ensure impact. Food systems transformation require working together among several stakeholders such as those responsible for agriculture, nutrition, environment and climate change, infrastructure development, energy and trade. As such, the participants explored and suggested mechanisms that will allow stakeholders to work together for a collective action and forge powerful partnerships as follows: 1. Strengthen decentralised structures in both extension and nutrition programs and set standards on food systems initiatives for all stakeholder operating in the district; 2. Enhance coordination and collaboration of food systems actors at district level. 3. Improve implementation and monitoring mechanisms for agreed actions – less meetings, more implementations; 4. Improve capacity of local councils to coordinate development partners and projects – Development Partners to work hand in hand with Government towards common goals; and 5. Improve private sector involvement in development planning and implementation e.g., commercial banks, transporters, commodity traders. قراءة القليل

7 Cross cutting outcomes: Changes to be made within 3 and 10 years This section provides areas that have to be considered in the short term (3 years) and medium term (10 years) based on the regional dialogues. The participants recommended that in the first 3 years, the region and the nation should focus on the following actions: 1. Promotion of diversified crop production and productivity with a business mind-set in the region through use of good agricultural practices such as soil fertility improvement programs, increased mechanization; 2. Government should provide balanced support to all foo... قراءة المزيدd crops and stop politicizing maize crop; 3. Ensuring stable and structured markets e.g. resuscitate ADMARC by reviewing its operations and injecting in capital; 4. Improving road network across the region; 5. Review school curriculum to address food consumption issues e.g. home economics; 6. Food fortification and improve processed food labelling; 7. Harmonization of programs/messages that go to farmers e.g. in most cases NGOs and Government go to communities with different/conflicting information (like incorporation of residues in gardens and others say don’t incorporate give to livestock); 8. Ensuring that systems of communication among actors in the food system are functioning; 9. Improving infrastructure and telecommunications with reduces costs – digital technology is key to transforming food systems in the country; and 10. Enhancing natural resource regeneration – plan new trees, regenerate natural forests. In terms of expectations of the food systems in the next 10 years, the participants at the dialogue identified the following areas: 1. Recruitment and capacity building of extension workers to facilitate implementation of food systems; 2. Enhancing cooperatives approach: a plan of 60% of producers to be members of cooperatives; 3. Implementation of catchment conservation management approach to curb environmental degradation and improve natural regeneration; 4. Increasing food diversification, food distribution, food processing and preservations through providing a conducive environment for the growth of secondary processing factories; 5. Investing in alternative energy sources e.g. subsidizing gas, this is extremely important if the country is going to curb the problem of natural resource degradation; and 6. Promoting value-added products in Malawian shops by Malawians; and 7. Consolidating farm lands in order to support farm mechanization at community level. قراءة القليل

6. Game Changing Priorities The eastern region dialogue session identified game changing priorities that apply across all the five action tracks. These include the following: 1. Enterprise diversification and rebranding: a. Enhance agricultural diversification through increased investment in research and extension, adoption of good agricultural practices including climate smart agriculture e.g. green house production, conservation agriculture; b. Promote integrated household farming e.g. diversified crop production (vegetables, fruits, legumes and livestock); c. Increase youth participation in... قراءة المزيد agriculture through rebranding of agriculture to make attractive to young people; d. Strengthen production capacity of farm inputs locally – Malawi fertilizer company in Liwonde, more investments of the same kind and value addition capacity for commodities – e.g. ADMARC rice processing in Liwonde (not being used). 2. Farmer organization and cooperative development: Organize farmers into cooperatives-farmers growing to sale (have high bargaining power on prices) and enhance value addition. 3. Nutrition and Food Systems Education: a. Enhance nutrition education and civic education which lead to behavioural/mind-set change amongst communities to implementing technologies e.g. good agricultural cultural practices accompanied; and b. Adapt school curricula to train pupils in food systems – encompassing production, processing, distribution and utilization’; 4. Food Systems Coordination Structures: Ensure better coordination and collaboration in food systems among actors across all levels and sectors by setting up structures and systems to move the agenda forward; 5. Transport System and Logistics Hub: Improve transport network infrastructure e.g. rail (Nacala, Balaka – Blantyre – Lower Shire and Mozambique, Balaka, Salima – Lilongwe – Mchinji – Zambia) and water transport systems on Lake Malawi and Shire River – vessels on these water bodies to reduce cost of transport and roads – Zomba to Liwonde, Mangochi – Monkey Bay, Ntaja – Nayuchi, Liwonde – Chingeni, Mangochi – Makanjira, Chingale – Lirangwe, access to Lake Chilwa. In addition, make Balaka a logistics hub for the country and this will transform the district’s economy base and skew it towards logistics and transport; and 6. Market infrastructure: Improve market infrastructure through structured markets for commodities other than tobacco, resuscitate ADMARC, organize farmers into mega cooperatives – land consolidation, decentralization of the provision of training and capacity building for cooperatives, improved market information systems. قراءة القليل

5 Action Track # 5 Outcomes The opportunities under Action Track # 5 were as follows: 1. High labour availability in the region due to high population of youths in Mangochi and those that are incarcerated in prisons (Mikuyu, Zomba), as well as soldiers (Cobbe barracks, Changalume) – utilize these in community development, farming, infrastructure development projects, vocational skills training; 2. Presence of natural resources – mountains (e.g., Zomba mountain for bee keeping), water bodies for irrigation intensification (Shire River, Lake Chilwa, Lake Malawi, Lake Malombe), Zomba plains f... قراءة المزيدull of water and good soils which are potential for irrigation and fish farming, Namizimu and Phirilongwe forests, Mangochi Forest Reserve and Liwonde National Park, potential for mining – cement and lime production in Zomba, Mangochi, limestone in Balaka, gold and other precious minerals; 3. Availability of raw materials for agro-processing including availability of organic and inorganic wastes for fertilizer production, e.g., water hyacinth in Shire River and Lake Malawi for fertilizer production; 4. Closeness to Mozambique – the region borders with Nacala – potential market for agriculture produces; 5. Availability of many projects largely driven by development partners and government e.g. resilience building projects; 6. Good weather for livestock production and fertile arable land conducive for production; 7. Upgrading of Mangochi to a city status; 8. Infrastructure investments – rail, water transport on the lakes, road network, cold chain facilities for fisheries, livestock, farm fresh commodities; and 9. Market facilitation and contract farming-assist farmers to embark on contract farming. The enablers under Action Track # 5 were as follows: 1. Political will – encouraging export-based production; 2. Trade regulations – flexibility of laws; 3. Promote activities run by faith-based organisation e.g. Catholics, Islamic community, ensuring that government and the faith community work collaboratively in identifying and implementing game changing strategies for the growth of the region; 4. Land tenure system – needs to be reviewed to accommodate prevailing practices; and 5. Speed up Mining Act and related regulations to provide structure to the industry. قراءة القليل

4 Action Track # 4 Outcomes The opportunities that were identified under Action Track # 4 included the following: 1. Free primary education and adult literacy learning opportunities including access to bursary. With increased literacy, the population is bound to benefit from livelihood opportunities around them; 2. Existence of family planning methods if well harnessed can contribute to reducing population and improving livelihoods; 3. Availability of other non - farm income sources e.g., fishing opportunities in the Lakes, rivers and utilization of existing ponds for aquaculture; 4. Availabil... قراءة المزيدity of abundant natural resources e.g., lakes, forest reserves, grazing land, fisheries and minerals; 5. Availability of marketing structures such as cooperatives, farmer organizations and infrastructures (National Association of Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi and Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation; 6. Availability of on-going nutrition programs such as school feeding programs by both NGOs and government; 7. Processing of fish so that when the lake is closed, they can sell the processed fish; 8. ICT based extension approaches e.g. video extension, extension helper application etc.; and 9. Enforcement of farm gate prices in place. Enablers that can support the attainment of the opportunities included: 1. Availability of funding by donor agencies; and 2. Availability of conducive policies such as land policy, extension policy, gender act, free primary education. قراءة القليل

3 Action Track # 3 Outcomes The opportunities identified under Action Track # 3 were as follows: 1. Availability of nature positive production interventions such as climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, soil improvement and watershed management e.g., MWASIP project sites like Chingale and Masaula, agroforestry and water harvesting technologies; 2. Availability of natural resources that can trigger nature positive production such as Lake Chilwa, Lake Malawi and Shire River and rich arable land; 3. Existence of locally available botanicals for pest and diseases controls; 4. Good tra... قراءة المزيدnsport system e.g. railway line to ferry produce to Blantyre for sell and good road network connecting Mangochi, Zomba, Blantyre and Lilongwe districts; 5. Favourable environment for livestock production and cotton production, mineral resources that provide alternative income sources; 6. Presence of a lot of food security stakeholders with a lot of resources and research expertise; 7. Availability of markets i.e., the population and presence of tourist attraction centres (lodges); 8. Availability of strategic grain reserves e.g. National Food Reserve Agency (NRFA) silos; and 9. Existence of community structures e.g. committees protecting natural resources e.g. Lake Chilwa. Enablers identified included the following: 1. Communities are committed to issues of development and sustainable management of resources; and 2. Government policies e.g. stringent policies to protect forests, availability of policies that promote sustainable agricultural production. قراءة القليل

2 Action Track # 2 Outcomes The opportunities identified towards shifting to sustainable consumption patterns were as follows: 1. Availability of stakeholders willing to finance development programs across the value chains; 2. Presence of local knowledge in food preservation and traditional nutritious foods such as Luni, Molinga, Amaranthus; 3. Availability of nutrition and health experts; 4. Availability of natural resources - water bodies e.g. Lake Chilwa, Lake Malawi, Shire River, National parks and other natural minerals (gold); and 5. Availability of land suitable for small stock (livesto... قراءة المزيدck) production. 6. Food aid. The enablers that can allow the country to advance sustainable consumption included: 1. Available policies and strategies; 2. Political will; 3. Good national security; 4. Good environment for livestock production; and 5. Local leadership. قراءة القليل

1 Action Track #1 Outcomes The opportunities for Action Track #1 to ensure safe and nutritious food for all were identified as follows: 1. The region is endowed with natural resources such as water bodies (Lakes Chilwa, Malawi and Malombe) and Shire River hence availability of fish, potential for irrigation; 2. Good road and rail network among the districts in the region, this provides an opportunity for improved transportation and logistics; 3. Migration and cross boarder markets leading to availability of goods being brought to the region; 4. Tourism activities in the region e.g. L. Malawi N... قراءة المزيدational Park, KuChawe, Liwonde National Park etc. for income and employment; 5. Low rainfall areas good for livestock production hence can promote diversification; 6. Availability of companies in the region e.g. fertilizer company, cement and lime companies in Machinga and Balaka districts; 7. Business opportunities - factories to process fish to ensure consistent supply and reduce food waste, and an opportunity for fish feed production; 8. Presence of government extension workers and organisations – government structures are there to support transformation; and 9. Availability of stakeholders-NGOs supporting food systems-provide food, inputs, irrigation facilities and livestock. The major enablers identified under Action Track # 1 were as follows: 1. Fisheries by-laws and community fisheries committees that help to control fishing, all what is needed is to enforce laws; and 2. Good road network and railway lines. The region is the hub of major transport systems in the country. قراءة القليل

Action Track #1: Ensuring safe and nutrition food for all Current challenges 1. Low crop productivity and limited dietary diversification; 2. High rates of unemployment resulting in more people migrating to neighbouring countries; 3. Covid-19 related challenges for example government directive restricting meetings has affected tourism businesses; 4. Unorganised and unstable food markets thereby affecting availability of food in both time and space; and 5. Poor sanitation and hygiene among the people and poor health-seeking practices. Drivers (Causes and Activities) 1. Limited knowledge and use... قراءة المزيد of appropriate practices on crop and diet diversification; 2. Fish production has gone down due to overharvesting, overpopulation, overfishing; 3. Limited income generating activities and high unemployment levels; 4. The region practices matrilineal system of marriage hence men normally are not willing to invest where they marry; and 5. Environmental degradation - and wanton cutting down of trees in Machinga and Balaka districts for charcoal burning and in Zomba for timber. Action Track #2: Shifting to sustainable consumption patterns Current Challenges 1. Inadequate incomes, knowledge and skills affecting food budgeting, food preparation, food processing and preservation hence consumption of unbalanced diet; 2. High postharvest losses and food wastage due to some extent, wasteful cultural and religious practices, poor storage capacity and facilities; 3. Low funding in nutrition sector affecting implementation of relevant programmes and strategies; 4. No reliable cash crops thus the majority of the population resort to selling food crops hence affecting long-term food and nutrition security; and 5. Food aid is more prevalent in the region, hence people deliberately sale their harvest or produce because they know that the Government will provide relief aid for their survival. Drivers (Causes and Activities) 1. Cultural values, beliefs and practices fuelling wastage, for example, during cultural ceremonies and traditions; 2. Increased population impacting on production – there is high land pressure which affects both levels of investment on that land as well as forcing people to encroach onto marginal lands; 3. Poor road network – this contributes to reduced availability of and access to nutritious and safe foods; and 4. Negative perception towards local nutritious foods, with improvement in levels of income-most people switch to ultra-processed and imported foods at the expense of highly nutritious local foods. Action Track #3: Boosting nature-positive food production Current challenges 1. Pests and diseases for crops e.g. fall army worms affected the region (24,437 ha affected out of 59,676 ha in all the EPAs); 2. Frequent natural disasters e.g. dry spells, floods etc.; 3. Inadequate agricultural diversification, the region is more suitable to production of livestock due to climatic and environmental factors. 4. Increased cases of malnutrition due to inadequate intake of animal proteins, legumes and oils (at 30% access currently); and 5. Soil loss and land degradation due to deforestation for charcoal production and opening new farm land. Drivers (Causes and Activities) 1. Unfavourable weather conditions and low arable land holding sizes; 2. Low adoption of improved production technologies; a. Poor access to extension services resulting from: poor quality extension service delivery; and b. Conflicting extension approaches to issues for example livestock vs land resources. 3. Mind-set and perception, that is, fishing culture along the lake which the fisher folks are preoccupied with and not attending to other livelihood options; and 4. High dependency on rain fed agriculture. Action Track # 4 Advancing equitable livelihoods of people involved in food systems Current Challenges 1. Market failures affecting household incomes; 2. High levels of unemployment; 3. Youth related challenges which have forced most young people migrating to South Africa for greener pastures; 4. Natural resource degradation – deforestation, poor farming practices, population pressure etc.; 5. Low utilization of existing infrastructures like marketing facilities built by the State marketer across the country including the region; and 6. Gender inequalities. Drivers (Causes and Activities) 1. Cultural practices and beliefs and gender inequalities; 2. Climate change that result into unpredictable rainfall patterns, floods and droughts; 3. High input prices especially fertilizers leading to low production; 4. Lack of technical expertise in crop standards and qualities, especially cash crops – extension system failure; and 5. Inappropriate use of chemicals and marketing standards – lack of know-how. Action Track # 5 Building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks and stresses Current challenges 1. Climate change related shocks such as disturbed rain patterns and increase in natural disasters e.g., Cyclone Idai; 2. Diminishing biodiversity (species of plants and fishes) e.g., fish species in Lake Malawi; 3. Increased poverty levels; and 4. Negative coping strategies to shocks and stresses, e.g., child marriages. Drivers (Causes and Activities) 1. High poverty levels; 2. Lack of cleaner and sustainable renewable alternative energy sources; e.g., Gas, electricity, solar; 3. Unreliable markets – high input prices, low commodity prices; 4. Climate change leading to increased dry spells, flooding, pests and diseases; and 5. Poor market systems and lack of structured markets e.g. dysfunctional nature of ADMARC. قراءة القليل

The regional dialogue was held under the theme “Building healthier, sustainable and equitable food systems for a better Malawi”. The objective of the dialogue was to share information on the UNFSS and reflect on the status of Malawi’s food systems, identify challenges and constraints, potentials and opportunities, and game-changing solutions and ideas for its transformation, including defined roles and responsibilities from local voices at the regional level. Based on the guidelines, the dialogues were organized around the five action tracks of the Food Systems Summit: • Action Track 1... قراءة المزيد – “Ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all” – participants examined whether all Malawians currently have access to safe and nutritious food. If not, what is it that makes it difficult for Malawians to access safe and nutritious food? • Action Track 2 – “Shifting to sustainable consumption patterns” – dialogue participants had conversations about what were the key issues affecting healthy and sustainable food consumption in Malawi. • Action Track 3 – “Boosting nature-positive production at scale” – participants examined how Malawi’s food production systems can be transformed to ensure sustainable food and nutrition security for the people. • Action Track 4 – “Advancing equitable livelihoods”– dialogue explored inequalities within the Malawian food systems. • Action Track 5 – “Building resilience to vulnerabilities, shocks, and stresses” – participants examined actions to ensure the resilience of the Malawian Food System. The representative of the Convenor also emphasized the need to analyse the food systems issues in consideration of existing national policies and strategies including the national aspirations as enshrined in the Malawi 2063 Vision. قراءة القليل

The subsidy Agricultural Input Program (AIP) was a contentious issue with some thinking that it is a necessary evil that meets the nations’ food self-sufficiency goal. For example, the current season has produced surplus maize compared to the average of the last five years. Other members felt that AIP as a social protection instrument has outlived its life span and the nation needs to graduate from it despite all the positive restructuring it has gone through over the years. Still others noted that the subsidy program is good and it needs to diversify beyond focusing on maize to other crops ... قراءة المزيدsuch as legumes and livestock so that it contributes fully to Action Track #1 in providing safer and healthy foods. Other views bordered on its net negative effect on the agricultural sector budget vote since other critical services such as research and extension suffer low allocations though the overall agricultural budget is able to meet the Malabo target of 10% of the national budget. The other issue that came out in the Central region dialogue was the need to embrace indigenous food varieties and not only focus on the so-called modern/improved varieties. The promoters of the indigenous food varieties noted that such foods have high nutrition status and are resilient to climate change whilst those championing improved varieties were considering mostly on the high yielding and resilience of other varieties such as drought resistant varieties of maize. The issue of conflicting messages came out very strongly in the Central Region that resulted in delegates recommending the urgent need to harmonize messages that go to farmers. It was noted that in most cases NGOs and Government go to communities with different/conflicting information like incorporation of residues in gardens and yet others say don’t incorporate them but give them to livestock. The need for sustainable production systems such as agro-ecology and permaculture was discussed versus the conventional farming systems approach. It was noted that the current food production system is at the breaking point. It was noted that conventional farming yields large amounts of products for our use. However, it uses resources faster than they can recover and that if we continue this way, at some point we will have to face the moment when our lands will fail to produce enough food. Therefore, it was concluded that there is a need to strike the balance as both approaches are promoted to avoid confusing the farmers. قراءة القليل

8. Cross cutting outcomes: Productive partnerships The regional dialogue also explored on how stakeholders can work together for collective action and forge powerful partnerships towards transformation of food systems. The participants noted that currently, the region has several partners working in the food systems including NGOs both local and international, faith-based organizations, farmer-based organizations including cooperatives, government departments, private sector players and other food industry players but they rarely work together let alone share lessons and best practices. This w... قراءة المزيدas linked to lack of proper coordination at regional and district level including between and among ministries, departments and agencies of the government despite existing structures in the decentralized system of governance. The participants noted that the opportunities, enablers and recommendations to transform food systems are multi-sectoral in nature, hence deliberate efforts need to be put in place for a coordinated approach at the regional and district level to ensure location-specific coordinated actions. Some noted that in most cases, some sectors leave it to the Ministry of Agriculture to handle all issues surrounding food systems while other ministries such as those responsible for nutrition, environment and climate change, infrastructure development, energy and trade just but to mention a few are at the core of an efficient food system. The participants explored and suggested mechanisms that will allow stakeholders to work together for a collective action and forge powerful partnerships as follows: 1. Ensure functioning and use of existing structures to support food systems: a. Establish a food systems structure/coordinating committee at district and community levels; b. Integrate sectoral groups such as nutrition care groups, farmer field schools into the food systems approach; c. Ensure greater involvement of private sector in the food systems approach at all levels; d. Ensure that all non-state actors work collaboratively with government structures when working in an area; 2. Stakeholder multi sectoral joint resource mobilization, planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning including sharing information and networking; and 3. Ensure transparency and accountability of stakeholders, so that progress is tracked by all. قراءة القليل

7 Actions: Changes to be made within 3 and 10 years This section provides action areas that have to be considered in the short term (3 years) and medium term (10 years) based on the identified game changing priorities. The participants recommended that in the first 3 years, the region and the nation should focus on the following actions: 1. Revamp extension services through recruitment of more extension workers and harmonization/standardization of messages; 2. Enhance resilience of communities to respond to shocks/stress before outside help is sought; 3. Increase food production and productivi... قراءة المزيدty through promotion of climate smart and appropriate technologies across the whole value chain such as soil fertility improvement practices; 4. Government should provide balanced support in all food crops e.g. through the AIP; 5. Resuscitate ADMARC to facilitate both input and output markets for small scale farmers; 6. Improve road network; 7. Government should stop politicizing maize crop; 8. Revise school curriculum to address food consumption issues e.g. nutrition education and home economics; 9. Prioritize value addition through establishment of local industries with deliberate investments in food processing machinery, food fortification and labelling; and 10. Review certification procedures by Malawi Bureau of standards and ensure enforcement of the same to ensure consumption of safe foods. In terms of expectations of the food systems in the next 10 years, the participants at the dialogue identified the following areas: 1. Ensure policy coordination, coherence and enforcement of regulations towards transformation of food systems; 2. Enhance collaboration and coordination of stakeholders, investments and programs at all levels and across all sectors involved in the food systems; 3. Increase sustainable productivity of foods including aquaculture development by ensuring that farmers are following sustainable good agricultural practices that support/enhance a balanced ecosystem. Government should also consider graduation from the subsidy input program; 4. Exploit the youth demographic dividend by economically empowering youth and building their technical and entrepreneurial skills and rebranding agriculture to make it attractive to them; 5. Enhance climate change adaptation and mitigation measures through investing in early warning system and climate information systems, use of alternative energy sources such as briquettes, chitetezo mbaula, gas, promoting permaculture/ agro ecology and watershed Catchment management practices; 6. Invest in commercial oriented agriculture through large scale, solar powered Irrigation farming e.g. starting from 3,000 hectares; 7. Speed up the industrialization drive i.e. agro-processing and mechanization to allow for import substitution and benefit from regional and international trade opportunities. This includes re-establishment of abandoned factories such as the cotton ginning factories; 8. Put in place gender transformative initiatives across the value chains to ensure equitable benefits and participation among all gender groups; 9. Make markets work for the poor through revitalization of ADMARC and introduction of structured markets including enforcement of minimum prices; and 10. Institutionalization of food systems approach in district councils. قراءة القليل

6. Game Changing Priorities The dialogue session identified the game changing priorities across all the five action tracks as follows: 1. Make markets work for the poor through the restructuring of ADMARC and promotion of structured markets; 2. Invest in mechanization and processing equipment to spur agricultural productivity, value addition and agro-processing; 3. Improve transport infrastructure i.e. road networks in rural areas, railway and water transport systems; 4. Promote use of alternative energy sources to boost agriculture operations including agro-processing and value addition; 5. P... قراءة المزيدromote climate change adaptation and mitigation measures such as watershed catchment management practices, disaster preparedness etc.; and 6. Increase production and productivity of various crops, livestock and fisheries throughout the year e.g. by promoting of irrigation farming (vibrant mega and anchor farms), agro-ecological practices etc. قراءة القليل

5 Action Track # 5 Outcomes The opportunities under Action Track # 5 were as follows: 1. Availability of disaster preparedness and adaptation measures such as construction of water dyke, early warning systems; 2. Availability of community structures to respond to shocks and stresses such as extension workers, village civil protection committees etc.; and 3. Availability of drought tolerant and early maturing varieties. The enablers under Action Track # 5 were as follows: 1. Availability of Disaster Management and resilience building policies and strategies; and 2. Fisheries guidelines on close... قراءة المزيدd fishing seasons. قراءة القليل

4 Action Track # 4 Outcomes The opportunities that were identified under Action Track # 4 included the following: 1. Availability of stakeholders and technical capacity to support implementation food systems programmes; 2. Availability of programmes which have mainstreamed issues of Gender E.g. Cash transfer programs, adult literacy training; 3. Availability of safety net programmes to support livelihoods for vulnerable households e.g. subsidy input programme; and 4. Existence of Farmer based organizations such as cooperatives and associations. Enablers that can support the attainment of the o... قراءة المزيدpportunities included: 1. Existence of policies to guide food systems transformation e.g. National agricultural policy; 2. Existence of agribusiness programmes to assist farmers to increase incomes e.g. Agricultural commercialization (AGCOM) project; 3. Existence of decentralized development structures up to the community level e.g. Community development workers, women and youth clubs, community based organizations (CBOs) and associations; and 4. Existence of by-laws and district development plans. قراءة القليل

3 Action Track # 3 Outcomes The opportunities identified under Action Track # 3 were as follows: 1. Availability of waste which can be used for manure making to support agriculture production; 2. Alternative sources of energy e.g. solar; 3. Availability of natural resources such as water bodies such as Lake Malawi, rivers, Chia lagoon and parks and wildlife reserves e.g. Kuti Wildlife Reserve, Thuma Forest Reserve and Nkhotakota Game Reserve; 4. Availability of agricultural technologies e.g. drought tolerant crops; and 5. Availability of natural resources management initiatives such as tree pl... قراءة المزيدanting, water harvesting etc. Enablers identified included the following: 1. Existence of conducive policies such as climate change policies, strategies and commitment by the government e.g. National adaptation plans, National resilience strategy; 2. Availability of environmental related guidelines such as climate smart agriculture guidelines, catchment and watershed management guidelines; 3. Fishing bylaws e.g. closed season regulations; and 4. The new land policy promoting improved tenure security and sustainable land management. قراءة القليل