Adopting Lewin’s Force Field Analysis as Sustainable Tool to Reduce over Maize Dependence in Malawi

Introduction

Food sufficiency at household level remains a far-fetched dream despite the country registering significant production levels over the past thirty years or so. Consequently, the rates of stunting and anaemia remain high and obesity amongst women is rising [1]. This is principally attributed to erratic maize production which is considered the staple food of the country. World Food Programme Malawi (2022:3) recommended that the Government of Malawi should strike a balance in the matters of land and agricultural policies to enhance and bolster the productivity of other food- security crops and ensure consumption of nutrient dense foods. Food is considered a basic necessity [2]. It was also declared a universal human right [3]. It is also considered a physiological need under motivational theories [4]. It is also a national security issue [5]. Food is also at the core of human development and it therefore falls under Sustainable Perspective Development Goal 2 (End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture) of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 [6].

Food and Malawi Development Agendas

Kampanje BP [18] noted that food security has been part of the fabric of the Malawi’s development agendas such as the Malawi Vision 2020 launched in 1998, Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (2006-2011), Malawi Economic Recovery Plan (2012), Malawi Growth and Development Strategy II (2011-2016) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which Malawi adopted in 2015 to run up to 2030. Malawi is therefore committed to end hunger under Sustainable Development Goal Number 2. It could be argued that Malawi might not be far from achieving this goal if the tubers in the form of cassava, sweet potatoes and irish potatoes are factored in. This is not however the perception of the general populace as food is only equated to maize and that has serious implications on the fiscal and monetary regimes as the inflation index is pegged to maize prices generally and no other foods.

Malawi adopted the Vision 2063 which is being implemented in phases with the first ten year plan running from 2021 through 2030 which is known as MIP 1 [19]. The MIP 1 noted prolonged politicization of maize as a staple food. This problem suggests that maize dependence has been used in the political environment leading to dysfunctional activities of ADMARC as noted above. There is a general notion that maize is at the core of the Malawian local culture and that a majority of the rural population now believes that the human kind will not survive if maize is scarce. This was not the case in the seventies as different parts of the country were consuming more cassava along the lake shores of Lake Malawi in the Northern Region. Sorghum was very popular in the Southern Region but all is long gone as the input subsidy programmes made it easier to harvest more maize at a household level much cheaper in view of the reduced maize cultivation costs. Food security is less prominent in the MIP 1 although there is promotion for consumption of highly nutritious foods as alternatives to maize.

Can Malawi be freed from Shackles of Maize?

There are currently no indications that maize overdependence will be resolved in the medium to long term as substantial budgetary support is channelled towards the maize taking as much eighty percent of the Ministry of Agriculture budget and yet no real tangible benefits are observable. While MIP 1 one propagates about mindset change as a catalyst for development (being the first enabler) of the country’s long term development agenda. The issues of promoting other foods as alternatives to maize were not considered as part of the mindset change and therefore a lost opportunity.

Conclusion

It is widely believed that change is ubiquitous but that is certainly not the case with maize production and consumption in Malawi in view of being a geopolitical factor in Malawi. The cost of overreliance of maize in Malawi is quite intriguing but the possible change in perception requires substantial investment in mindset change programmes which are not currently running. The false belief that only maize is nutritious and affordable to majority rural masses needs intensive civic education to be eradicated. Malawi’s economy is currently suffering from a substantial inorganic fertiliser import bill and there appears to be no solution in sight. The consequences for the current status quo is acute shortage of forex which is hampering other essential services such as health and education as critical supplies are being sacrificed to eat maize.

Recommendations

The current situation has several downside risks which can trigger economic and social disturbances in Malawi. It is therefore recommended as follows:

• The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and Development should take a keen interest to evaluate the real economic risks posed by the countries over reliance on maize as staple food so that all relevant stakeholders can appreciate the current exposure. Food is life indeed but other important sectors such as health, water and sanitation development as well as education is equally important so that equitable distribution of resources will ensure good health of the citizenry. Malawians can do without maize. This must be reinforced through well- crafted messages over the radios, community meetings, political rallies and religious groupings.
• Innovation in the food industry is urgently required. The focus for Malawi should be on the production and promotion of highly nutritive foods with known tangible benefits and not merely make people have full stomachs. Food fortification at community level should be encouraged through well designed products to guarantee full adoption of such programmes.
• Encouragement of consumption of alternative products such as sweet potatoes and cassava in a tastier form especially among the toddlers and youth in the education system means that not only that food is wasted but that consumers enjoy them while having proven substantial benefits. This is a source of industrialization as food has an already established market. Children are easy to change and willing to embrace other forms of foods as long as they are tasty.