Malawi's Climate-Smart Agriculture Initiative Aims to Counter Food Insecurity Amid Climate Change
The DeSIRA project aims to develop climate-smart technologies to address food security challenges in Malawi amid climate change impacts.
LILONGWE, Malawi — Malawi, categorised among the major crisis countries in Africa, is striving to counter increasing food insecurity exacerbated by climate change, writes Bridget Mwanoka.
The recently released Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) revealed a concerning 67% surge in the number of people facing acute food insecurity in Central and Southern Africa between 2016 and 2021.
As climate change threatens smallholder farmers, who constitute 80% of the economically active population, urgent interventions are essential.
"We are looking at the development of diversified crop and livestock production systems, robust integrated pest and disease management strategies, and improved post-harvest management technologies," emphasised Gbenga Akinwale, the Country Convener of CGIAR in Malawi and Project Manager for the EU-led project DeSIRA.
The EU-funded DeSIRA project, in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Research Services (DARS), DAES, LUANAR, FAO, and Self-Help Africa, aims to enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of agriculture and food systems in Malawi.
To bolster the scientific knowledge and technical skills of Agricultural Researchers and Technicians involved in Climate Smart Innovation Research activities, the project conducted training sessions.
Participants, hailing from various research stations, including Chitedze, Chitala, Mbawa, Makoma, Bvumbwe, and Lunyangwa, focused on experimental design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation.
"We can all agree that climate change has really hit this country, and even with new pests and diseases, there is a need to develop a critical mass of Agricultural Research scientists with enhanced knowledge if we are to pull through as a country," said Director of Agricultural Research Services Dr Grace Kaudzu.
As Malawi strives to safeguard its agriculture and food systems in the face of climate change, these efforts underscore the crucial role of integrated technological solutions and knowledge enhancement in ensuring a sustainable future.
Should have engaged Vet Scientist not only those from research offices, who to this date have not produce a sustainable solution to Malawi problems
Should have engaged Vet Scientist not only those from research offices, who to this date have not produce a sustainable solution to Malawi problems