Mwapata Institute

26/02/2026

Today, the MwAPATA Institute participated in the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Policy Innovations Hub Launch and Dialogue held at BICC in Lilongwe, organised by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), under the Global CGIAR Policy Innovation Science Program (Policy Program). Malawi is one of five countries, alongside Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and India, selected to host the Policy Program, which seeks to address the persistent gaps in the systematic translation and application of research evidence to support the holistic transformation of food, land, and water (FLW) systems. The initiative particularly targets high‑level policy arenas where strategic decisions shaping these systems are made.

Officially launched by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Hon. Thoko Tembo, MP, the Policy Hub will serve as the central interface between the CGIAR, the Government of Malawi, and development partners, ensuring effective coordination of all country‑specific activities under the Policy Program.

Representing MwAPATA at the launch were the Executive Director, Mr Willian Chadza, and Research Fellow Dr Anderson Gondwe. After the Deputy Minister's official launch of the hub, the MwAPATA Executive Director gave a presentation on “Agriculture Policy Research in Malawi”. Among other things, the presentation highlighted recommendations towards improving the agricultural policy analysis practice in Malawi. The recommendations included the need to strengthen partnerships among policy analysis institutions and diversifying financing for the agricultural policy analysis. The presentation also called for generating credible evidence to transform agri-food systems in Malawi.

26/02/2026

New Publication Alert!! Visit https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-11288-0_26 to download this publication.

15/02/2026

Happy Birthday Garnet Lasten Sibu 🥳

12/02/2026

Here are some of our recent publications. Check the comments sections for links to each of these publications 👇

11/02/2026

We have been featured in this documentary by Times TV which analyses alternative cash crops to maize, with reference to the findings and recommendations from our Policy Brief titled "Policy Lessons for Localising the Food Systems Transformation Agenda in Malawi".

11/02/2026

The MwAPATA Institute is participating in the "Commodity Platforms Capacity Strengthening Workshop and Learning Visit" under the TRADE Programme. The workshop is being held at Amaryllis Hotel in Blantyre. The workshop has been organized to strengthen the institutional capacity of commodity platforms by addressing critical governance, financial, strategic, and accountability gaps identified through the assessment, thereby positioning platforms for sustainable operation and more effective engagement with the TRADE Programme. Representing MwAPATA at the workshop are Research Fellow Dr. Anderson Gondwe and Research Analysts Mrs. Dinah Salonga and Mrs. Joyce Minofu.

On behalf of MwAPATA, Dr Anderson Gondwe has made a presentation titled “Strengthening Strategic Planning and Policy Alignment of Commodity Platforms”. The presentation focuses on research-based recommendations towards strengthening platforms’ capacity to develop realistic, bankable, and costed multi-year strategic plans. The recommendations in the presentation also ensure clear alignment of platform priorities with national economic transformation and industrialization agendas, as well as policy coherence as a strategic tool to attract partnerships, investment, and diversified funding sources.

10/02/2026

Download and read the newsletter from the linkhttps://www.mwapata.mw/_files/ugd/dd6c2f_76d5729daef14f018dbd6a97d8c3f1f2.pdf

09/02/2026

MwAPATA’s Research Fellow, Dr Anderson Gondwe and Research Analyst, Mrs Dinah Salonga, participated in the inaugural National Food Systems Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting, which was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture - Malawi and the National Planning Commission of Malawi, with support from GIZ Malawi’s STEP UP! Project. The meeting was held at the 44 Hotel in Lilongwe on Thursday, 5 February 2026. The meeting brought together various stakeholders in Malawi’s Food Systems, including government ministries and departments, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, financial institutions, research institutions, development partners, and the media.

During the meeting, five sub-TWGs were established on critical pillars for coordinated action. These are: Policy and Programmes; Advocacy and Communications; Fundraising; Capacity Building; as well as Research, Monitoring & Evaluation. Nevertheless, the participants at the meeting held discussions regarding a potential merger of the Research, M&E, and Capacity Building sub-TWGs in the future due to similarities in mandates and memberships. The Food Systems TWG formulation reflects Malawi’s growing commitment towards strengthening the coordination, financing, and governance of the country’s food systems transformation.

09/02/2026

AGRA-Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems. National Youth Council of Malawi Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture - Malawi

09/02/2026

Visit www.mwapata.mw

09/02/2026

AGRA-Sustainably Growing Africa’s Food Systems. National Youth Council of Malawi Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture - Malawi

Zomba District Youth Officer Sophie Mzunga has called for capacity building amongst youths so that they are able to demand for formulation of youth inclusive policies.

Mzunga said youths should be given a chance to lobby for programs that shapes them to fully participate in national development.

She made the remarks in Zomba during the closure of Agri Skills Lab training for youths organised by Mwapata Institute and National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM) with support from Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).

Mwapata Institute Research Analyst Boniface Nankwenya said they want to push for establishment of platforms that provide opportunities for youths in agricultural sector.

Reported by Tiyese Monjeza.

08/02/2026

Visit www.youtube.com/