Africa-Press – Malawi. The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) has warned of an escalating global food crisis, saying that climate change, rapid population growth and unsustainable farming practices are threatening food security, especially in low—and middle-income countries such as Malawi.
In its newly released 2025 Global Food Policy Report, titled ‘Food Policy Lessons and Priorities for a Changing World’, IFPRI pointed that climate change is significantly slowing agricultural productivity while increasing the volatility of food prices and production.
The report notes that tropical regions including much of sub-Saharan Africa are among the hardest hit, facing increased risks due to slower poverty food systems.
“The global population has more than doubled in the last five decades, putting immense pressure on land, water, and natural resources. Meeting rising food demand will require not just expanding supply, but also reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture,” states the report.
For countries like Malawi, the report outlines key policy directions including the need for governments and researchers to embrace digital innovation, including artificial, which are rapidly transforming farming practices.
“The private sector has become an essential partner in ending poverty and malnutrition. The financing needs for research and development and innovations now far exceed what governments and philanthropies can and will provide,” it further states.
It comes at a time over 80 percent of the Malawi population still depends on agriculture for their livelihoods, a situation worsened by recent erratic weather patterns which have disrupted food production.
Economics Association of Malawi President Bertha Chikadza underscored the need for government to strengthen shock-responsive systems, such as targeted safety nets, scalable input programs, and strategic food reserves, to cushion vulnerable populations during climate and market disruptions.
Chikadza also highlighted private sector’s involvement in driving productivity, which can be achieved through a stable macroeconomic environment that is conducive to business.
“However, these interventions must be accompanied by forward-looking investments in climate-resilient agriculture, such as drought-tolerant seed systems and irrigation infrastructure.
“Maintaining macroeconomic stability by stabilizing inflation and exchange rates and managing public debt remains a critical gateway to a prosperous future. Erratic macroeconomic conditions undermine investor confidence in agribusiness, but a stable environment can inspire optimism and attract investment,” Chikadza said.
Commenting on the report, agriculture policy expert Leonard Chimwaza emphasised the need for Malawi to adopt the use of locally produced resources to maximize production.
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