Findings on the impact of the 2024/2025 La Niña forecast on Malawi’s food situation reveal that the country is likely to increase crop yields by 8 per cent if La Niña weather conditions remain moderate, the National Planning Commission (NPC) has confirmed.
NPC Head of Research, Andrew Jamali, said the analysis, however, also reveals that if the weak La Niña turns strong in the 2024/2025 production season, it will harm crop yield, resulting in a 14 per cent decrease in crop yield.
Jamali, while presenting his findings in Lilongwe, emphasised the need for appropriate interventions to ensure that farmers have all the necessary inputs, technology and support systems to secure a proper amount of food in the country.
He added that the country needs to activate anticipatory response mechanisms, rather than reactionary to prepare for the potential impacts of La Niña.
International Food Policy Research Institute’s Research Fellow, Jan Duchoslav, noted that extension services should be utilised to ensure that food stocks are maintained at sufficient levels during the 2024/2025 production season.
