Rooted in Diversity for Food Security Project Launched in Dowa

A consortium comprising Oxfam, the Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD), Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS), and the Department of Agricultural Research Services, with funding from NORAD, has launched the Rooted in Diversity: Partnership for Food Security and Livelihoods project.

The initiative targets 1,500 farmers in each of Dowa and Nkhotakota districts, specifically from the Traditional Authority areas of Kanyenda (Nkhotakota) and Kayembe (Dowa). The project aims to strengthen collaboration with national partners to benefit food producers and consumers across the region.

The project focuses on enhancing the knowledge, skills, and capacities of small-scale food producers to boost the production and consumption of local food plants.

This approach addresses challenges posed by unpredictable agroecological conditions, thereby contributing to food and nutrition security.

Presenting the project to the Dowa District Executive Committee, CICOD Programs Manager Edward Thole highlighted that food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa stems from interconnected factors such as climate change, overreliance on global value chains, inefficient seed and food markets, and poor land use.

These issues have increased vulnerabilities among small-scale producers, limiting their ability to produce and access nutritious food, reducing their income, and exacerbating agrobiodiversity loss.

Thole emphasized that agrobiodiversity is a key strategy for promoting food and nutrition security and adapting to climate change.

The project will focus on improving access to diverse crops while supporting farmer organizations aligned with Malawi’s Agenda 2063 and the Dowa District Development Plan. It will also address the loss of agrobiodiversity while promoting cross-regional learning and ensuring inclusivity.

“The project is based on the premise that agro-biodiversity is the best and most sustainable way to promote food and nutrition security and adapt to unpredictable climate conditions,” Thole stated.

Acting Chief Planning Officer for the Dowa District Council, Yusuf Laki, urged all agricultural partners to support the project for it to succeed.

He emphasized the importance of tracking and sharing progress to achieve the desired outcomes.