Malawi is on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe. Hunger has gripped the nation with an intensity unseen in decades. An estimated 5.7 million Malawians—nearly a third of the population—are facing crisis-level food insecurity in early 2025. This represents a staggering 30% increase from last year, making it one of the worst hunger crises in our history. The 2024 El Niño-induced drought, the worst in a century, wiped out crops across the country. The government declared a state of disaster as fields turned to dust and maize prices soared to 160% above the five-year average. For a nation blessed with fertile soil and abundant water, this situation is both infuriating and heartbreaking. How did we get here? And more importantly, how do we break this deadly cycle of food insecurity? Nature’s Wrath or Leadership Failure? There is no denying that Malawi has suffered devastating climate shocks. In the past three years alone, the country has endured relentless disasters—from Cyclone Freddy’s destructive floods in 2023 to the prolonged drought of 2024. The seasonal rains, crucial for millions of subsistence farmers, simply failed. However, hunger in Malawi is not just a consequence of extreme weather. It is a symptom of deeper systemic failures—poor governance, economic mismanagement, and the inability of leaders to prepare for the inevitable. While global events such as COVID-19 and the Ukraine war contributed to rising fuel and fertilizer costs, much of the current suffering was avoidable. The Malawian kwacha has plummeted, losing more than half its value since 2022, with inflation soaring to 28% by late 2023. Food and essential goods have become unaffordable for most households, yet wages remain stagnant. This economic collapse did not happen overnight—it is the result of years of corruption, waste, and poor planning. Malawians trusted their government to safeguard food security, yet their leaders squandered resources, ignored early warnings, and failed to implement effective solutions. The Affordable Inputs Programme: A National Betrayal Nothing exemplifies this failure more than the disastrous Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), the government’s flagship agricultural subsidy meant to provide smallholder farmers with affordable fertilizer and seeds. In theory, AIP should have been a safeguard against food shortages. In reality, it became a breeding ground for corruption and inefficiency. Year after year, promises were made that fertilizers would reach every village. And year after year, farmers were let down by late deliveries, inflated contracts, and logistical chaos. The 2024 season hit a new low when the Agriculture Ministry paid millions to a fraudulent UK-based “supplier” that turned out to be a furniture and sausage company. By the time the scam was exposed, precious funds were lost, and fertilizer was nowhere to be found. The result? Thousands of farmers planted nothing at all. Those who attempted to grow crops without fertilizer saw their yields collapse. When the rains failed, the situation spiraled into disaster—human incompetence compounding nature’s fury. Starvation in the Warm Heart of Africa Malawi’s fragile food security has unraveled completely. Millions of families harvested almost nothing this year. Parents are struggling to feed their children, surviving on wild yams and banana stems—the desperate diet of past famines. Malnutrition is soaring. Already, 37% of Malawian children under five suffer from stunting, a number now expected to climb even higher. In many communities, clinics are reporting increasing cases of acute child wasting. This is not just a temporary food crisis—it is a generational tragedy. Meanwhile, reports of corruption in grain reserves and price manipulation by food cartels continue to emerge. While ordinary Malawians struggle to buy a bag of maize, politically connected individuals are profiting from the suffering of millions. The Path to Food Security: What Must Be Done? Despite the grim reality, Malawi can escape this cycle of hunger and dependence. But it requires bold action and a complete overhaul of the country’s agricultural policies. 1. An Irrigation Revolution It is shocking that in 2025, with Lake Malawi and countless rivers, only a fraction of Malawian farmland is irrigated. Over 80% of our agriculture still relies on rain, leaving us vulnerable to drought year after year. We must prioritize large-scale irrigation projects, community dams, and solar-powered water pumps to ensure year-round farming. In regions where irrigation is already being used, farmers are thriving—growing rice, beans, and vegetables even in dry seasons. 2. Leveraging Technology for Smart Farming Technology can revolutionize Malawian agriculture. Already, digital tools like AI-powered advisory apps are helping farmers combat pests and improve yields. Expanding rural internet access, providing real-time weather updates, and using mobile banking for farm investments can empower farmers and increase productivity. 3. Encouraging Youth-Driven Agribusiness Young Malawians often shy away from farming, seeing it as backbreaking and unprofitable. But with access to capital, modern tools, and innovation hubs, they can transform agriculture. Youth-led initiatives are already emerging—introducing hydroponic farming, drone technology, and sustainable agribusiness models. The government must support and scale these efforts. 4. Diversifying Agriculture and Exports Malawi’s dependence on maize and tobacco is economically suicidal. We must encourage crop diversity—investing in drought-resistant grains like sorghum, high-value exports like macadamia nuts, and agro-processing industries that add value to raw produce. Why should Malawi only export raw tea and groundnuts when we could be selling packaged tea blends and peanut butter to the world? 5. Eradicating Corruption and Strengthening Governance No policy will succeed if corruption continues to bleed the country dry. Fertilizer procurement scandals, food aid theft, and inflated government contracts must be met with swift action. We need transparent supply chains, strict accountability for public funds, and real consequences for those who steal from the people. The Time for Change is Now As I write, I feel both anger and hope. Anger at the greed and incompetence that have brought our nation to the edge of starvation. But hope because I know that Malawians are resilient, resourceful, and capable of transformation. Across the country, farmers are pooling resources to start small irrigation projects. Youth are developing tech solutions for smarter farming. Civil society is demanding accountability. Malawians are not waiting for saviors—we are stepping up to save ourselves. What we need now is leadership that matches the determination of its people. Leaders who prioritize irrigation over luxury convoys. Leaders who cut wasteful spending and invest in food security. Leaders who act—not with excuses, but with decisive reforms. Malawi stands at a crossroads. Down one path lies continued hunger, desperation, and reliance on aid. Down the other is a future of food sovereignty, economic resilience, and hope. The choice is ours. But time is running out. The Warm Heart of Africa cannot endure another year of broken promises and empty stomachs. We need action, and we need it today. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Author: James Woods is a former diplomat who has served Malawi in various European nations, including Belgium, France, and the Netherlands. He holds an MBA from Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, an MSc from the London School of Economics, and is a former Mo Ibrahim Foundation Fellow. He is the founder of GlobiQ International. Sharing is caring!