MALAWI: NPC Urges Councils to Fast-Track Food Systems Transformation

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

The National Planning Commission (NPC) has urged district councils and key stakeholders to accelerate efforts aimed at transforming Malawi’s food system, describing the initiative as critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Malawi 2063 agenda.

Speaking during a training on Food Systems Governance under the STEP UP project in Nkhotakota District, the Commission’s Acting Director of Knowledge and Learning, Andrew Jamali, said councils must take a leading role in implementing the food systems approach.

“Councils need to take ownership and lead the implementation of the food systems approach if we are to achieve meaningful and sustainable transformation,” said Jamali.

The training was aimed at strengthening the capacity of district food systems steering committees to effectively coordinate and drive efforts towards sustainable transformation of food systems.

Jamali noted that although Malawi adopted the food systems approach in 2021 as a catalyst for achieving the SDGs and the Malawi 2063 agenda, several challenges—particularly climate change—continue to affect production, processing, distribution, consumption, and waste management.

Meanwhile, Principal Agriculture Extension Officer for Chikwawa District Council, Madalitso Makondi, said the training has enhanced participants’ skills and deepened their understanding of food systems governance, including the project’s theory of change for transformative interventions.

“The training has equipped us with practical knowledge and skills that will help improve coordination and implementation of food systems interventions at district level,” said Makondi.

The Support to Transition of Malawi’s Agri-Food Systems (STEP UP!) project, commissioned by the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is set to run until 2027. The initiative aims to address food systems governance gaps in Mzimba, Dedza, and Chikwawa di

strict councils.