Value chain analysis of Lake Malawi fish: a case study of Oreochromis spp (Chambo)

Chambo has potential of improving fishers’ socio-economic status in Malawi. The paper examines Chambo value chain whose findings will improve fish marketing by actors along the chain. Quantitative value chain analysis used, investigated income, profit margins distribution among different actors along the chain and determined marketing channels’ efficiency. Daily net incomes of retailer, fisher and wholesaler were MK930.78, MK676.99 and MK485.40 respectively. Marketing margins were MK515.68, MK689.65 and MK1951.70 for fishers, wholesalers and retailers respectively. Income was significantly different among fishers, fish wholesalers and fish retailers. High marketing margins led to marketing inefficiency. Fisher’s income and profitability could improve if crewmen were downsized to reduce the wage bill. Fuel availability in fuel pumps could lower fisher’s costs. Construction of cold chain facilities half way close to where Chambo is caught to reduce wholesalers’ distance to markets would lead to the sharing of transport costs between fish retailers and fish wholesalers

Determinants of postharvest losses along the baobab value chain in Malawi

IntroductionWild fruits like Baobab are gaining status as a valuable food resource worldwide. As with other crops, the reduction of post-harvest losses is critical to enhancing sustainable utilisation of wild food resources. However, little information is documented on the magnitude and determinants of post-harvest losses (PHLs) amongst Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and baobab in particular.MethodsThis study used cross-sectional data collected from six districts to analyse PHLs along the baobab value chain in Malawi. A multistage sampling technique was used to sample 405 collectors, 96 traders, and 316 processors. Two-limit Tobit models were used to ascertain correlates of PHLs at each value chain level. The study quantified the value of PHLs and assessed the effect of socioeconomic factors on PHLs amongst baobab actors.ResultsWe found that actors in the baobab value chain lose 7.78% of the total value of products held through PHLs. The results also showed that different sets of socioeconomic factors variably influenced PHLs amongst different value chain actors in the baobab value chain. For instance, gender was found to only correlate with PHLs amongst collectors. Whilst marital status was positively correlated with PHLs amongst collectors, and had a negative relationship amongst processors. PHLs at traders’ level are influenced by the number of people employed by an actor, the ability of customers to specify product attributes, and a proportional reduction in sales volume due to COVID-19. The study recommends the provision of training in PHLs management, and the formulating and enforcing of Baobab product handling standards

Are Fish Markets in Central Malawi Profitable and Efficient? Performance of Diploxatodon spp. (Ndunduma) Markets in Salima and Lilongwe Districts

The production of underexploited small fish species has surpassed that of bigger and more valuable species, such as Oreochromis species. However, profitability and efficiency of the key players in the marketing chain and system associated with these small fish species are yet to be understood. Therefore, this article aims to analyze the profitability and efficiency of Diplotaxodon spp. (an example of a small fish species) fish marketing systems in Malawi. The analysis was based on data collected in 2019 through field surveys from 265 respondents, which included fishers, processors, wholesalers, and retailers. Gross margin, return on capital employed (ROCE), and the Acharya and Agarwal’s market efficiency index were used in our empirical strategy. The results reveal that Diplotaxodon spp. trading was profitable to all actors. Firm-level efficiency showed that all actors used their capital efficiently, except for fishers, who had lowest return on capital employed, while retailers had the highest return on capital employed. All marketing channels identified were inefficient, due to high marketing margins and low fisher’s share of the consumer price, attributed to high transportation cost. The study concludes that, unless efforts are taken to improve efficiency of Ndunduma marketing system, through improving marketing margins and fisher’s share of consumer price, Diplotaxodon spp. will continue to be under-exploited, thereby sustaining or exacerbating the fish supply gap

Analysis of the Value Chains for Root and Tuber Crops in Malawi: The Case of Cassava

Key Findings and Recommendations • Cassava productivity has increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding and pest and disease resistant varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include: over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • Demand for cassava and associated products is increasing due to increasing urbanization where cassava offers one of the sources of cheap carbohydrates. The crop’s drought tolerant nature also offers one of the adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change that Malawi is facing. • Cassava has a wide range of products that can be processed, including High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), whose potential for wheat import substitution in the confectionary and brewery industries has not been fully exploited. Developing the cassava processing industry can contribute to reduction in Malawi’s high importation bill. • To improve Malawi’s cassava value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, greenhouses, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements

Analysis of the Value Chains for Root and Tuber Crops in Malawi: The Case of Sweet Potatoes

• Sweet potato yields have increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • The release of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties have contributed to decline in Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi, contributing to improved nutrition status. • Demand for sweet potato and associated products is increasing partly due to increased urbanization and vulnerability of maize to climate change impacts. • To improve Malawi’s sweet potato value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements and scaling up of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties to maintain sufficient Vitamin A intake

Analysis of the Value Chains for Root and Tuber Crops in Malawi: The Case of Sweet Potato

KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS • Sweet potato yields have increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. • Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. • The release of Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties have contributed to decline in Vitamin A deficiency in Malawi, contributing to improved nutrition status. • Demand for sweet potato and associated products is increasing partly due to increased urbanization and vulnerability of maize to climate change impacts. • To improve Malawi’s sweet potato value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements and scaling up of Orange-Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) varieties to maintain sufficient Vitamin A intake

Analysis of the Value Chains for Root and Tuber Crops in Malawi: The Case of Cassava

KEY FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS -Cassava productivity has increased over the past decade partly due to introduction of improved high yielding and pest and disease resistant varieties but yields still fall short of the potential. -Some of the factors constraining productivity growth include: over-recycling of seed among farmers and poor agronomic practices due to limited extension services. -Demand for cassava and associated products is increasing due to increasing urbanization where cassava offers one of the sources of cheap carbohydrates. The crop’s drought tolerant nature also offers one of the adaptation strategies to the impacts of climate change that Malawi is facing. -Cassava has a wide range of products that can be processed, including High Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), whose potential for wheat import substitution in the confectionary and brewery industries has not been fully exploited. Developing the cassava processing industry can contribute to reduction in Malawi’s high importation bill. -To improve Malawi’s cassava value chain, the following recommendations are made: significant investments in seed systems, greenhouses, irrigation, post-harvest, value addition and agro-processing technologies in response to identified market and industry needs; investments in research and extension on improved varieties, good agronomic practices, and pest and diseases prevention and control; and investments to link farmers, farmer organizations and processors through contract farming arrangements

Food Budget Shares and Elasticities in Malawi’s Prisons

While Malawi’s per capita cereal production may be higher than her per capita cereal consumption, Malawi is a net cereal importer and thus food insecure. The food situation is much worse in Malawi’s prisons because inmates generally eat one meal per day. The general objective of this study was to determine food budget shares and elasticities for the food stuffs commonly eaten in Malawi’s prisons. Using structured questionnaires in face to face interviews, the study collected data from 1000 prisoners and 30 officers-in-charge from all prisons in the country. The data was analysed using Stata 12 and employed the quadratic almost ideal demand system (QUAIDS) model as an analytical tool. Results from the analysis showed that budget shares for maize and beans were high as reflected by the fact that 86.5 per cent of the prison food budget was spent on these two food items while 6.8 per cent was spent on meat and vegetables. Maize was inelastic while meat, beans and salt were elastic with the own-price elasticity for meat being the highest. Expenditure elasticities for maize, meat and beans, at above unity, showed that these food items were luxuries in Malawi’s prisons

The role of social capital in rural household food security: The case study of Dowa and Lilongwe Districts in Central Malawi

&lt;p&gt;This paper explores the contribution of social capital on the rural household food security. Social capital is the ability of community actors to secure benefits by virtue of membership in social networks or other structures. In the past decade, consensus has emerged among scholars and practitioners of development that social capital can contribute significantly to the alleviation of poverty. Food insecurity is an indicator of poverty. This paper therefore takes this view by investigating the impact of social capital on the food security situation of rural people in developing countries, using the case study of Malawi in Sub-Saharan Africa. Using household survey data different social capital variables were incorporated into the household social welfare model, controlled by human capital, physical capital, household and geographical characteristics in order to test the linkage between social capital and rural household food security situation in the context of a developing country. Household food security status was improved by membership to farmers’ organizations, household network size and engagement in voluntary activities. When all social capital variables were incorporated into the model the explanatory power of the model improved by 20% on household food security.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We conclude that social capital has positive influence on household food security; however, the effects vary depending on the nature of social capital. The results indicate the significance of social networks in improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the people in rural areas in developing countries.&lt;/p&gt;</jats:p