At end of July 2017, the overall food security situation for Malawi is generally positive, with most of the districts in the northern and central regions classified in IPC Phase 1 (none or minimal) and the remaining districts especially in the south in IPC Phase 2 (Stressed). These households in the northern and central districts saw a good production from 2016/2017 growing season. Nationally, staple maize production increased by 46% over the last year and by 6% over five year average.

Produce farm gate prices are typically low affecting the income of farmers from crop sales (due to high production). In the current period (July - September 2017), staple food prices were generally lower than the 5 year average price. For the projected period (October, 2017 to March, 2018), the prices are likely to increase but marginally- slightly above or below 5 year average on par with 5 year average. Whatever price increases will be due to seasonal changes.

The market supply situation are likely to remain stable this year owing to good domestic supply. As government  policy, small holders will not be allowed to export maize, but only commercial farmers will be able to sell their surplus externally. ADMARC has carry-over stocks from the previous imports and are buying more maize from farmers. This will contribute to the availability of maize on the markets.

Income from tobacco dependent districts in central regions is stressed due to the loss of income from crop. There are also low farm gate prices from cash crops such as soya beans and ground nuts.

NOVEMBER 2017 MVAC UPDATE
In November 2017, in order to assess food security and livelihood vulnerability for timely and accurate early warning information to inform policy and programming in Malawi, the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (MVAC) conducted a vulnerability assessment and analysis update. The November 2017 assessment is  a follow up to the main forecast conducted in July 2017 (Malawi VAC July 2017, Bulletin No 14/17 Volume 1) to verify some of the assumptions made during the June 2017 main vulnerability assessment and update the projection for January-March 2018.

1. The major humanitarian assistance programmes should focus interventions in districts where there are significant populations (over 10%) in Phase 3.
2. For districts that have “small” populations in Phase 3- these populations should be included in the safety net programmes (social protection).
3. Populations in Phase 2 should be targeted by recovery and resilience building interventions (seeds, livestock, tools, public works programmes).
4. There is need to intensify monitoring of nutrition indicators to ensure nutrition interventions are bearing fruit at household level.
5. ADMARC should be given resources to buy maize to regulate prices and make the staple grain available to farmers at a reasonable price during the lean season.
6. The FAW pest advent requires urgent collaborative efforts in order to reduce its impact on food security situation in the country.