Malawi: Project Highlights - Anticipatory action interventions to mitigate the negative effects of dry spells in the southern region of Malawi during the planting season 2023/24 (OSRO/MLW/088/GER)

Objective

To mitigate the potential negative effects of dry spells among vulnerable smallholder farming households and their livelihoods.

Activities implemented

• Distributed USD 281 006 worth of unconditional cash transfers to 3 190 households.

• Developed and disseminated six advisory messages to communities on climate-smart agriculture practices, including planting of early maturing and drought tolerant crops/varieties, water harvesting practices, conservation agriculture, organic manure making and application, integrated production and pest management, and livestock fodder preservation.

Results

• Improved households’ access to and consumption of food, access to quality agricultural inputs and investment in livestock production to diversify livelihoods.

• Enhanced communities’ awareness of forecast El Niño-induced dry spells and capacity to anticipate and mitigate the negative effects of dry spells on crop production.