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Mindset or economics: What explains the dominance of maize in Malawi

Author

Listed:
  • Cockx, Lara
  • De Weerdt, Joachim
  • Duchoslav, Jan
  • Nagoli, Joseph

Abstract

Malawi’s policy ambitions increasingly emphasize the need for greater crop and diet diversity. De-spite these stated goals, the country’s food system continues to revolve around maize, both in pro-duction and consumption. This brief discusses the economic imperatives that drive low-income, land-constrained Malawians to prioritize maize. Only by addressing these underlying incentives can policy effectively reduce maize dominance and support the diversification agenda it seeks to advance.

Suggested Citation

  • Cockx, Lara & De Weerdt, Joachim & Duchoslav, Jan & Nagoli, Joseph, 2026. "Mindset or economics: What explains the dominance of maize in Malawi," Impact assessments 55, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    • Handle: RePEc:fpr:impass:181792
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    File URL: https://hdl.handle.net/10568/181792
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benson, Todd, 2021. "Disentangling food security from subsistence agriculture in Malawi," IFPRI books, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), number 9780896294059, enero-mar.
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    3. Prabhu Pingali & Naveen Sunder, 2017. "Transitioning Toward Nutrition-Sensitive Food Systems in Developing Countries," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 9(1), pages 439-459, October.
    4. Khonje, Makaiko G. & Nyondo, Christone & Mangisoni, Julius H. & Ricker-Gilbert, Jacob & Burke, William J. & Chadza, William & Muyanga, Milu, 2022. "Does subsidizing legume seeds improve farm productivity and nutrition in Malawi?," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    5. Benson, Todd & De Weerdt, Joachim & Duchoslav, Jan & Masanjala, Winford, 2024. "Fertilizer subsidies in Malawi: From past to present," MaSSP working papers 44, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    6. Benson, Todd, 2021. "Disentangling food security from subsistence agriculture in Malawi: Synopsis," IFPRI synopses 9780896294073, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).
    7. Matita, Mirriam & Chiwaula, Levison & Wadonda Chirwa, Ephraim & Mazalale, Jacob & Walls, Helen, 2022. "Subsidizing improved legume seeds for increased household dietary diversity: Evidence from Malawi’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme with implications for addressing malnutrition in all its forms," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C).
    8. repec:fpr:issbrf:138880 is not listed on IDEAS
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