11/07/2026
The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development (MoAIWD), National Planning Commission of Malawi (NPC), and MwAPATA Institute held inception meetings with local council planners, NGOs, and INGOs in Mchinji and Mzuzu from 7th to 9th July 2026. Our Research Director, Anderson Sawira Gondwe and Research Analyst, Mrs Dinah Tuwanje Salonga, represented MwAPATA at the meetings.
During the meetings, the Ireland-Malawi Agri-Food Systems Programme (IMAGRI), implemented by the MwAPATA Institute in partnership with Sense and with support from the Embassy of Ireland Malawi, was introduced. The programme supports Food Systems Transformation in Malawi, explains food systems governance, and guides councils in forming multisectoral coordination teams. Mrs Salonga presented IMAGRI's efforts to advance Malawi's food systems transformation.
Effective transformation of Malawi’s food systems depends on strong local governance to foster collaboration, reduce duplication, and optimise resources. To support this, MoAIWD and NPC are expanding food systems governance to three new districts: Mulanje (Southern region), Mchinji (Central region), and Rumphi (Northern region).
The three districts were selected to ensure regional representation, enable analysis of cross-border trade (in Mulanje and Mchinji), and draw lessons from a food-insecure district (Rumphi) for national implementation. The food systems transformation initiative programme has been implemented in Dedza, Mzimba, and Chikwawa districts with funding from GIZ Malawi since 2024.
