Officials in Malawi have called for stronger youth participation in agriculture, highlighting the crucial role of young innovators in securing the country’s food future and driving national development.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal, last Wednesday, Geoffrey Mamba, Principal Secretary for Irrigation at Malawi’s Ministry of Agriculture, emphasised the importance of translating policy into action.
The forum attracted 6,000 participants, including government officials, researchers, development partners, and youth leaders from across Africa.
“For us as Malawi, we know we have the Malawi 2063 vision and it is our intention that we use all the tools available to achieve it,” Mamba said. “What is key is that we really have to implement these plans, not just design them.”
Malawi continues to face significant food security challenges. Last year, 5.7 million Malawians lacked access to sufficient food, a sharp increase from 2.3 million the previous year. Mamba cited climate shocks, pest infestations, and constrained donor funding as major factors worsening the situation.
“These discussions on financing, climate resilience, and partnerships are vital,” he noted. “Our development partners are dragging their feet in some areas, so every nation has a duty to fend for itself and manage resources better.”
The government is pursuing initiatives such as large-scale irrigation projects and mega farms to enhance self-sufficiency. Mamba also stressed the need to modernise cultivation methods, improve soil health, and ensure inter-ministerial coordination to unlock agricultural growth.
The call for youth engagement was reinforced by Andrew Jamali, research manager at Malawi’s National Planning Commission, who said young people are central to the country’s long-term vision.
“The operationalisation of Malawi 2063 is in the hands of young people,” Jamali said. “They are aggressive with new technologies — from soil testing to irrigation innovations. But beyond rhetoric, youth involvement has to be practical.”
Both officials highlighted that forums like the Dakar conference provide essential opportunities for Malawi to learn from regional peers, forge partnerships, and showcase existing youth-led innovations at home. They concluded that empowering young farmers is not just a policy goal, but a practical necessity to secure Malawi’s agricultural future.
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