What is the role of agriculture in Malawi?
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Agriculture plays a crucial role in Malawi's economy, contributing significantly to its GDP and employing a majority of the country's workforce . However, the agricultural sector in Malawi faces various challenges, including climate change impacts such as floods and droughts, low yields, food insecurity, and poverty . The majority of the population in Malawi engages in subsistence agriculture, particularly smallholder maize production, which is the main source of daily calorific intake . The use of local seed varieties, limited access to affordable fertilizers, poor markets, and environmental challenges contribute to low yields and food insecurity . Efforts have been made to improve food security through policies, interventions, and subsidies targeting smallholder farmers . However, there is a need for further research and understanding of agricultural practices, including the production of nutritious crops, gendered household decisions, and the historical context of agriculture in Malawi .
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| Papers (5) | Insight |
|---|---|
Open access 28 May 2018 1 Citations | Agriculture is the mainstay of Malawi's economy, contributing 30% of GDP and employing a majority of the country's workforce. |
5 Citations | The paper discusses the economic significance of agriculture in Malawi and its contribution to the country's development. However, it does not explicitly state the role of agriculture in Malawi. |
8 Citations | The paper does not explicitly mention the role of agriculture in Malawi. |
| The paper states that Malawi's food and nutrition security heavily relies on rainfed agricultural production. | |
| Agriculture in Malawi generates over 90% of export earnings and up to 40% of Gross National Income, and is dominated by smallholder maize production. |
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