Malawi - Stage 2
Area of divergence
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
... Read morefocusing 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. Read less
Action Track(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Keywords: Data & Evidence, Environment and Climate, Governance, Innovation, Policy, Trade-offs, Women & Youth Empowerment