Family Farming Knowledge Platform

Food and nutrition security implications of crop diversification in Malawi’s farm households

Although dramatic increases in maize yields since the implementation of the Farm Income Subsidy Program (FISP)—the major national program that subsidizes fertilizer and improved seed primarily for maize cultivation—have likely enhanced household maize self-sufficiency (Chibwana et al. 2012), Malawian diets remain poorly diversified. Indeed, the contribution of foods other than maize to national per capita dietary energy supply appears to have actually decreased slightly in recent years. Poorly diversified diets characterized by an overreliance on starchy staples are a red flag for malnutrition. Conversely, diets which include a variety of foods are considered important for positive health. Diets which include nutrient-rich legumes and animal-source foods as well as vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables are associated with micronutrient adequacy and reductions in chronic undernutrition (Arimond and Ruel 2004; Thompson and Amoroso 2011).

Title of publication: Mapping the linkages between agriculture, food security & nutrition in Malawi
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Page range: 44-49
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Author: John Mazunda
Other authors: Henry Kankwamba, Karl Pauw
Organization: International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
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Year: 2015
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Country/ies: Malawi
Geographical coverage: Africa
Type: Book part
Content language: English
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