ANB-BIA SUPPLEMENT

ISSUE/EDITION Nr 346 - 15/05/1998

CONTENTS | ANB-BIA HOMEPAGE

"Vision 2020"

by Akwete Sande, Malawi, February 1998

THEME = SOCIAL ACTION

INTRODUCTION

Despite the fact that 78% of major droughts experienced in Malawi in recent years
are the result of the El Niņo phenomenon, it is only now the government and some NGOs
are putting their heads together, and seeking solutions so as to achieve food security

The "Vision 2020 Project" has researched the whole question of what is known as "food security", and published its findings under the title: "Food Security and Nutrition". The report first of all exposes some past government policies and unforeseen disasters which contributed to Malawi's food insecurity. It is in pin-pointing areas of concern, that possible solutions can be envisaged.

Areas of concern

• 1. For too long, the government has been dependent on donors for food assistance, in the form of fertilizers and seeds to overcome the shortfall in food production.
• 2. The country's political situation, made it difficult to conduct efficient research into food problems, because it was far too sensitive to publicly declare that Malawi had high levels of chronic malnutrition. Outsiders generally considered Malawi to have "bumper" harvests, and to be a consistent "star performer" on economic indicators. The existence of malnutrition contradicts these so-called "achievements".
• 3. Food policies over-emphasized the production of maize, and overlooked other important crops and livestock which would ensure adequate domestic needs and national nutritional security. Examples of crops overlooked, include: Cassava, sweet potatoes, sorghum, millet, pulses, groundnuts, fruit, green vegetables. Livestock include: Goats, rabbits, chickens, pigs and fish farming. The report points out that there was not enough diversification in the average family's diet to ensure better nutrition. An over-reliance on maize, results in a bulky and monotonous diet, causing high rates of chronic malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies.
• 4. Poor harvest technology contributed to low agricultural productivity. Main losses seemed to occur in the transportation, storage, processing and preservation of foodstuffs. In the 1995/1996 season, Malawi's losses for major food crops, were estimated at 25%.

5. Recent experiences have shown that Malawi has no protection against adverse weather conditions, neither against the effect of disease. The report cites disasters such as droughts and floods, and the onslaught of AIDS/HIV, all of which have had a negative impact on agricultural production.

6. The country's high population growth-rate is another area which contributes to food insecurity, as it over- stretches the distribution of already limited resources.

Possible solutions

• 1. Malawi must move away from continued dependence on outside food aid.
• 2. Diversification of agriculture is needed to improve food security. Maize is not the only staple food, and tobacco is not the only export crop. (The report emphasises that with the strong anti-smoking lobby in the West, fewer dealers are buying Malawi's tobacco crop).
• 3. Adequate irrigation of fields must be a priority, because total dependence on rainfall has proved disastrous.
• 4. Roads must be repaired, especially those which are generally impassable during the rainy season. The bad condition of the country's road system, contributes to the high cost of transport, and ultimately to the high cost of basic foodstuffs.
• 5. Civic education on family planning, needs to be encouraged because population pressure on the land, causes farmers to use marginal land and steep hillsides for subsistence farming. This contributes to soil-erosion and land degradation.
• 6. The report proposes drought and other disaster insurance schemes, to cushion rural communities when hit by drought and other calamities.
• 7. A National Technical Committee on Early Warning Systems should be established, under the chairmanship of the Commissioner for Disaster Preparedness Relief and Rehabilitation. This will enable the authorities to achieve acceptable levels of disaster mitigation and preparedness.

All in all, a report which merits close consideration and immediate action!

END

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