Malawi Faces Alarming Rise in Hunger: New Project Launched To Support Farmers

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Authorities have expressed deep concern over the rising levels of hunger and food insecurity in the country.

Recent statistics reveal that the number of people facing food insecurity in Malawi has surged from 2.5 million in 2022 to approximately 6 million.

In response, the government, in partnership with the Development Fund of Norway, has launched the Agricultural Resilience through Climate Services project.

The initiative aims to bridge the information gap for farmers by providing timely and accurate climate data.

Mr Ingrid Mikelsen, the Norwegian Ambassador to Malawi, described the current hunger and food insecurity trends as “damaging and harmful.”

She expressed optimism that the new project will play a vital role in improving food security, as farmers will now have access to reliable information year-round.

Meanwhile, Manice Nkhata, President of the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM), welcomed the initiative, noting that it addresses a major challenge – limited access to climate information.

Nkhata pointed out that only two to three out of every ten farmers currently have access to such information, a situation that significantly hampers efforts to tackle food insecurity.

He expressed hope that the new project will help close this gap and empower more farmers with the tools they need to thrive.