Malawi - Stage 2
Discussion topic outcome
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
... Read moreinked 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. Read less
Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Finance, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Women & Youth Empowerment