The Economy

Malawi’s economy is heavily dependent on the agriculture sector. The sector contributes significantly to the food security of 17.5 million people projected to have reached 19.8 million in 2023 and about 27 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product （GDP). It employs about 64 percent of the total workforce and contributes approximately 80 percent to the foreign exchange earnings. Despite the importance of agriculture to the economy, the sector continues to face several challenges as highlighted in the following strategic documents: the Malawi Vision 2063 and the Malawi 2063 First Ten Year Implementation Plan （MIP 1), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework （UNSDCF）2023-2028, the National Agriculture Policy （NAP) of 2023, the Disaster Risk Management Act of 2023 and the National Resilience Strategy （NRS）2018.

Challenges facing Malawi’s agriculture sector

• Low levels of value addition and productivity
• Limited market opportunities and adoption of modern sustainable technologies
• Overdependence on rainfed agriculture
• Degradation of natural resources
• Inadequate agricultural extension, research and innovation
•  Weak capacity in processing, marketing and applying quality/safety standards for crop, horticulture and livestock products
• Vulnerability to threats and crises
• Gender inequalities
  

What FAO is doing

FAO is implementing various projects aimed at transforming the agriculture and food systems and building a sustainable environment, while taking into consideration issues of resilience, emergency preparedness and climate change.

FAO’s Strategic Framework seeks to support the 2030 Agenda through the transformation to more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable agrifood systems for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.