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Rural underemployment and urbanization: Insights from a nine-year household panel survey from Malawi

Date of Publication
Oct 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

Rural labor markets in Africa are frequently characterized by underemployment, with farmers unable to fully deploy throughout the year one of their most important assets—their labor. Using a nine-year panel data set on 1,407 working-age adults from rural Malawi, we document changes in rural underemployment over this period and how they are associated with urbanization. Nearby urban growth results in increased hours worked in casual labor (ganyu) and in non-agricultural sectors, at the expense of work on the household farm. Improved ur-ban access is also associated with a small increase in wage labor and, at the intensive margin, with hours supplied in household enterprises. We draw lessons from these results for policies, investments, and interventions to leverage urban growth for rural development.

Author or Institution as Author
IFPRI
Co-authors

Hanne Van Cappellen and  Joachim De Weerdt

Institution
International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Language
Category
Resource Type

Bamboo Production in Malawi - A Case of Mr. Goodman

Date of Publication
Dec 01, 2022
Description/Abstract

The pangs of climate change are real coupled with the rampant deforestation that is happening due to increased land pressure. This is an inspirational video where Mr. Andrew Goodmans is advocating for farmers to grow Giant Bamboo. Bamboos can cater for household and community needs in less than five years. The household only needs 10 bamboo seedling at afordable price.

Author or Institution as Author
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Co-authors

Ben Chisama

Institution
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

    Chisama, B., 2022.  Bamboo Production in Malawi: A Case of Mr. Goodman. Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi

Malawi is now exporting its Mangoes to South Africa _ Part 2

Date of Publication
Dec 01, 2022
Description/Abstract

This video demonstrates a new cost effective and innovative approach of in-Country Research Teams to conduct a phytosanitary and other assessments of their produce, capture them on a video and send it to the potential market.  In turn, the potential buyers watches the video and make a recommendation and approves whether to open their market to the seller/producer or not. Consequently, the market players saved a lot of time and financial resources for a team of deligates was supposed to travel from the South Africa to Malawi. This Video resulted in the opening up of the South African Market to Malawian mangoes, Right now (since 2023), Malawi is exporting Mangoes to South Africa.

NPPO-Malawi compiled two videos of pre-harvest and post-harvest handling processes that were inspected at Malawi Mangoes Limited in Salama. The video shows how the client complied with the requirements for the export markets including South Africa. NPPO-Malawi conducted the field inspections in three stages as outlined on the Import Permit: 1) Flowering; 2) Fruiting and 3) Harvest and post-harvest stages. This is Part 1 of the videos.

Author or Institution as Author
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Institution
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Ministry of Agriculture (2022). Mango Export Requirements and Assessments conducted by the NPPO Malawi. NPPO Malawi, The Director of Agricultural Research Services P.O. Box 30779 Lilongwe Malawi.  

Malawi is now exporting its Mangoes to South Africa _ Part 1

Date of Publication
Dec 01, 2022
Description/Abstract

This video demonstrates a new cost effective and innovative approach of in-Country Research Teams to conduct a phytosanitary and other assessments of their produce, capture them on a video and send it to the potential market.  In turn, the potential buyers watches the video and make a recommendation and approves whether to open their market to the seller/producer or not. Consequently, the market players saved a lot of time and financial resources for a team of deligates was supposed to travel from the South Africa to Malawi. This Video resulted in the opening up of the South African Market to Malawian mangoes, Right now (since 2023), Malawi is exporting Mangoes to South Africa.

NPPO-Malawi compiled two videos of pre-harvest and post-harvest handling processes that were inspected at Malawi Mangoes Limited in Salama. The video shows how the client complied with the requirements for the export markets including South Africa. NPPO-Malawi conducted the field inspections in three stages as outlined on the Import Permit: 1) Flowering; 2) Fruiting and 3) Harvest and post-harvest stages. This is Part 1 of the videos.

Author or Institution as Author
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Co-authors

Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi

Institution
Department of Agricultural Research Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Malawi
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Ministry of Agriculture (2022). Mango Export Requirements and Assessments conducted by the NPPO Malawi. NPPO Malawi, The Director of Agricultural Research Services P.O. Box 30779 Lilongwe Malawi.  

An assessment of the potential for scaling Malawi’s wheat production for domestic consumption and export

Date of Publication
Nov 01, 2022
Description/Abstract

Despite having potential, Malawi’s wheat production has been characterized by low production and productivity. The prospects for scaling up wheat production in Malawi are based on the suitability of different areas for wheat production, increase in global prices and existence of large and growing domestic and regional export markets. Scaling production of wheat in Malawi will fail unless challenges are addressed. These include overreliance on rainfed production, limited access to improved varieties for wheat, fertilizers, capacity building in best agronomic practices, and lack of access to existing lucrative markets. There is need to conduct a value chain analysis with key stakeholders to assist in developing the value chain

Author or Institution as Author
MwAPATA Institute
Co-authors

Anderson Gondwe and Joyce Minofu

Institution
MwAPATA Institute
Language
Resource Type
Citation

Gondwe, A., and Minofu, J. (2022). An assessment of the potential for scaling Malawi’s wheat production for domestic consumption and export. Published by MwAPATA Institute, Lundu Street, Off Chayamba Road, Area 10/386, P.O. Box 30883, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

The Economic Cost-benefit Analysis of Black Soldier Fly as an Alternative Animal and Fish Feed Ingredient in Malawi

Date of Publication
Sep 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

Insect farming is a high-potential emerging farming enterprise in sub-Saharan Africa and their production has a relatively small ecological footprint. Black Soldier Fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens, is a promising insect species for a sustainable and innovative alternative protein source in animal feed. Little or no evidence exists showing whether BSF is a viable alternative sustainable feed ingredient in aquaculture and animal feed in Malawi or an economically feasible option for farmers. The objective of the study is to evaluate the financial feasibility of BSF farming at various scales of production using Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) with data collected from a small-scale pilot BSF farm in Lilongwe. The study addressed the following research questions: (a) What are the costs and benefits of farming BSF in Malawi for (i) small-scale farming (individual farmers, clubs, and cooperatives), and (ii) large-scale commercial farmers? (b) What drives variation in the benefit/cost ratio (BCR) of BSF farming across scales? (c) How could policies improve BCRs of BSF farming to support adoption in Malawi? The indicators used to assess the economic viability of BSF farming for smallholder and commercial farmers in this study included Net Present Value (NPV) and Benefit Cost Ratio. Results imply BSF farming is viable and feasible across scales of production. Small-scale farmers will generate roughly MK507,100 (US$ of gross revenue for one larval cycle and MK2,535,500 (over $2,500) annually. Commercial farmers can generate MK1,536,100 for one larval cycle and MK7,680,750 annually. Sensitivity analysis shows BSF farming remains profitable even within a 10% variation in the cost of production, the price of outputs, and the yield of BSF larvae and frass.

Author or Institution as Author
MwAPATA Institute
Co-authors

Maggie G. Munthali, Lemekezani Chilora, Mike Goliath, William J. Burke, M. Eric Benbow, Jeremiah Kangʼombe & Andrew Safalaoh

Institution
MwAPATA Institute
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Munthali, G., Chilora, L., Goliath, M., Burke,W.J., Benbow, M.E., Kangʼombe, J., & Safalaoh, A. (2003). The Economic Cost-benefit Analysis of Black Soldier Fly as an Alternative Animal and Fish Feed Ingredient in Malawi. Working Paper No. 23/01. MwAPATA Institute. Published by MwAPATA Institute, Lundu Street, Off Chayamba Road, Area 10/386, P.O. Box 30883, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

Agricultural Diversification Challenges and Opportunities in the Malawian Groundnut Value Chain

Date of Publication
Sep 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

Based on production and export data, groundnut has the potential to contribute to Malawi’s agricultural diversification agenda, for both food and export purposes. According to key informants interviewed, the main challenges faced in the groundnut value chain are high aflatoxin contamination, limited access to improved seed, and limited access to structured markets. Policy options should focus on addressing issues that limit productivity and strategies for mitigating aflatoxin contamination considering their threat to food and nutrition security, public health, and access to higher-value markets. Future research should focus on how to best alleviate the identified constraints and harness opportunities for contributing to the country's agricultural diversification agenda not only in the groundnut value chain but also for other crops.

Author or Institution as Author
MwAPATA Institute
Co-authors

Dinah Salonga, Anderson Gondwe, and Joseph Goeb

Institution
MwAPATA Institute
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Salonga, D., Gondwe, A., and Goeb, J. (2003). Agricultural Diversification Challenges and Opportunities in the Malawian Groundnut Value Chain. Published by MwAPATA Institute, Lundu Street, Off Chayamba Road, Area 10/386, P.O. Box 30883, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

Patterns of social safety nets, weather shocks, and household food security status in Malawi

Date of Publication
Sep 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

A large share of Malawian households faces multiple shocks which affect their welfare. There is a need to develop programs that increase household resilience against the recurring weather-related disasters and adversities such as promotion of climate smart technologies and practices. As a coping mechanism, most households resort to using own savings, while a significant number of households do nothing.  Social safety nets and farm input subsidies play a significant role in cushioning households against shocks, but the current programmes are hampered by poor targeting hence not fully benefiting the intended poor households. The government and development partners should develop better ways of targeting of the existing social safety nets and input subsidy programmes so as to benefit the deserving and intended poor households.

Author or Institution as Author
MwAPATA Institute
Co-authors

Gondwe, A. , Nankwenya, B., and Goeb J.

Institution
MwAPATA Institute
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Gondwe, A. , Nankwenya, B., and Goeb J., (2023). Patterns of social safety nets, weather shocks, and household food security status in Malawi. MwAPATA Institute, Lundu Street, Off Chayamba Road, Area 10/386, P.O. Box 30883, Capital City, Lilongwe 3, Malawi.

Satellite Data for Improved Monitoring of Farm Productivity and Early Warning Systems in Botswana

Date of Publication
Jun 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

Despite the adaptation and mitigation measures that have been put in place to counter the negative effects of climate change and food insecurity, more than 57.8 million people in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) population need food assistance in 2023 due to poor harvests (APA 2023). In Botswana, alone, close to 37,000 people need food assistance (FAO, 2022). This comes against the backdrop of declining agricultural productivity attributed to several factors including high cost of inputs, high incidence of pests and diseases, low input use and extreme weather conditions such as droughts, floods, and erratic rainfalls (FAO 2022).

Author or Institution as Author
Joshua Sikhu Okonya
Co-authors

Enock Warinda, Moses Odeke, Baitsi Podisi, Futhi Magagula, Cliff Sibusiso Dlamini, Andrew Farrow, Felicia O. Akinyemi, Reason L. Machete, Benedict Kayombo, Joseph Tuyishimire, Kenneth Mubea, & Wellington Michael

Institution
Digital Earth Africa
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

Okonya, J.S. Warinda, E. Odeke, M. Podisi, B. Magagula, F. Dlamini, C. S.  Farrow, A. Akinyemi, F.O. Machete, R.L. Kayombo, B. Tuyishimire, J. Mubea, K. & Michael, W. (2023). Satellite Data for Improved Monitoring of Farm Productivity and Early Warning Systems in Botswana. Policy Brief Botswana, June 2023.

Tomato variety JUPITER

Date of Publication
Mar 01, 2023
Description/Abstract

The Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute, through its new variety introduction and evaluation programme, have identified a tomato variety Jupiter adapted to both humid and sub-humid regions of the island. Jupiter is a semideterminate cooking tomato variety with high-yielding potential and suitable for both fresh market and processing. The plant bears long oblong fruits which are preferred by growers and highly appreciated by consumers.

Author or Institution as Author
Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI)
Institution
Food and Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (FAREI)
Language
Category
Resource Type
Citation

FAREI, (2022). Tomato variety JUPITER. Mauritius VOD/2022/1 R ev1.0

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