Malawi'’s agricultural sector is critical to its economy, employing around 77% of the population and accounting for 23% of gross domestic product (GDP). The majority of workers in agriculture are smallholder farmers, many of whom cultivate less than one hectare of land. Despite its importance, the sector faces significant challenges, …
Moravian Church in Malawi has condemned the smuggling of charcoal into neighbouring Tanzania, saying the practice is contributing to deforestation in the country. The church’s head of programmes in Malawi, Jonas Nyangwe, made the remarks recently in an interview after visiting some of the areas in Traditional Authority Kilupula in …
While the South African city of Cape Town drew international attention when it warned it could run out of water this year, an international charity focused on global water supplies says "slow burning" droughts have wreaked even worse devastation in other parts of Africa. Jonathan Farr leads work on water …
Throughout many countries in the world, the measurement of food security currently includes accounting for the importance of perception and anxiety about meeting basic food needs. Using panel data from Malawi, this paper shows that worrying about food security is linked to self-reports of having experienced food insecurity, and the …
Kenya is among five countries that will receive insurance cover for farmers suffering losses caused by weather-related disasters. This is part of a rural resilience initiative launched by the UN World Food Programme and Oxfam to protect poor farmers and strengthen their income as well as food security. Benoit Thiry …
Japanese multinational conglomerate Toshiba and Malawi’s Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining (MNREM) have concluded a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the development of geothermal power. The MoU anticipates a comprehensive partnership in geothermal power projects including capacity building programmes in relation to the technology. Under the terms of …
This paper aims to identify the main drivers of poverty reduction in Malawi. Using an augmented poverty decomposition methodology, it explores in what way the different farm and non-farm economic activities contribute to poverty reduction and income growth. The analysis also examines how household occupation and spatial mobility support both …
This Malawi Economic Monitor (MEM) provides an analysis of economic and structural development issues in Malawi. The aim of the publication is to foster better-informed policy analysis and debate regarding the key challenges that Malawi faces in its endeavor to achieve high rates of stable, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. …
The effects of climate change have negatively affected Malawi’s agricultural production. In this context, fisheries have been providing alternative livelihoods. However, there is a knowledge gap around the responses of small-scale fishers to climate-related changes. Therefore, a study was conducted on the Western shores of Lake Malawi between August 2015 …
In this cluster-randomized trial, we assigned communities in Malawi, Niger, and Tanzania to four twice-yearly mass distributions of either oral azithromycin (approximately 20 mg per kilogram of body weight) or placebo. Children 1 to 59 months of age were identified in twice-yearly censuses and were offered participation in the trial. …
Inequality between the richest and the rest in Malawi continues to rise, with poverty remaining extreme and endemic. Climate change is compounding the challenges, with recent droughts and floods likely to have worsened poverty, resulting in one in three Malawians relying on humanitarian assistance in 2016. Economic inequality threatens to …
Lilongwe — Over 50 000 women farmers from six districts of the country stand to be equipped with skills to help them withstand adverse effects of climate change once the five year US$ 13.3 million Gender Climate and Agriculture Support Programme (GCCASP) under NEPAD Agency rolls into operation. The GCCASP …
Latest reports from Department of Disaster Management Affairs [Dodma] on the ongoing assessments of Karonga floods indicate that three people have been killed. Dodma spokesperson, Chipiliro Khamula, has confirmed the development saying so far the floods has affected 4,499 people from 818 households in the district. He further said that …
Early warning response team receiving state of the art mobile phones to be used for automated reporting - Pic by Martin Chiwanda Early warning response team receiving state of the art mobile phones to be used for automated reporting - Pic by Martin Chiwanda Nsanje, April 16, 2018: Malawi Red …
The Youth under the banner of National Youth Network on Climate Change (NYNCC) have bemoaned their inadequate participation in the formulation of strategies that address issues of climate change. The youths who have gathered at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe at the first ever Youth Conference on Climate Change say their …
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) recently released a new report, showing that sustainable investment in freshwater ecosystems in developing countries helps farmers reduce the impact from floods, droughts and water pollution. ‘The Water Advantage: Seeking Sustainable Solutions for Water Stress’, shows that by improving access to clean water …
A water point mapping exercise done in Mulanje District this year has revealed that over 200 boreholes in the district are at risk of contamination. The exercise, done by University of Strathclyde and Water for People, shows that at least 213 boreholes in the district are within range of pollution, …
Persistent rains that have been falling in Nkhotakota during the past week have flooded most parts of the district leaving over 3000 people homeless, Malawi News Agency (Mana) has learnt. According to assessment documents made available to this reporter, over 527 houses have so far collapsed in some parts of …
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Young people converging at the first ever national youth conference on climate change under way in the capital Lilongwe have one voice, calling Malawi government include them in climate change agenda if the country is to make head way. The young people are seeking a clear definition of their role …
Raging floods have rendered over 300 households destitute in Karonga district amidst fears of a recurring Cholera outbreak. District Commissioner (DC) Richard Hara disclosed that one boy from Mwagomba village is reportedly missing. DC Hara told the Sunday Times that the heavy downpours that the district experienced in the last …
Arusha — Fall Armyworms (FAW) have emerged as new serious threat to over 80 crops as East Africa strives to control tropical and subtropical insects.The threat of the insect, scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda, comes as millions of smallholder farmers in the East African region have not yet recovered fully …
