By Mabvuto Kalawa, Correspondent, Malawi Freedom Network
Soon after independence, Malawi was feeding itself and did not depend on donors to feed its people.
But soon after the country transitioned from one-party rule to multiparty democracy, Malawi began to face acute hunger.
The question we can ask is whether Malawians were once harder workers, or whether the country became too reliant on relief food and handouts from donors.Malawi Freedom Network Congratulates Mutharika on His Historic Return to Power
Our correspondent conducted random interviews across the country to find out what people believe are the reasons.
Mr Henry Chitseko of Million Village, Traditional Authority, said the problem stems from Malawians losing their culture of hard work.
He said that in the past, Malawians were not told to start early land preparation but did it on their own because they understood the importance of having enough food at household level.
Another community member said the issue lies with the country’s leaders and their lack of sound policies on food.Veteran journalist calls foot soldiers not to lose hope
“Imagine, under the late Kamuzu Banda, he had estates where he grew different types of crops, and this motivated Malawians,” the resident said.
“He even ordered his parliamentarians to follow the same example, but multiparty leaders are not doing what Kamuzu was doing.”
Group Village Headwoman Juma of Zomba said the problem is that communities are no longer encouraging their subjects to take farming as seriously as they did during the one-party system.
She noted that even in primary schools, children have stopped growing crops on small plots of land, whereas in her time this was part of training them in farming.Chiradzulu-Based Youth Activist Suleman Atupele Chitera Faults NEEF Over Elite Loan Abuse
She added that there used to be agricultural extension workers throughout the country advising farmers, but today there is little evidence of that on the ground.
Mphatso Umali of Mangochi said what Malawi lacks is passion and political will from its leaders.
“They are only good at talking, but when it comes to setting an example, there is nothing,” he said.
He added that in the multiparty era, Malawians have come to depend too much on donors for relief food.
Mary Kalaundi, a woman farmer from Ntcheu, said the situation worsened after the closure of estates such as Chamwabvi and Press Trust estates, which had acted as schools for farmers.
She also said Malawians have developed a culture of moving to urban areas to look for white-collar jobs instead of farming.Activists Plan Massive Blantyre Protest Over Amaryllis Hotel Controversy”
An agriculture specialist who spoke on condition of anonymity said the reasons are many.
He cited overreliance on rain-fed agriculture instead of practicing irrigation, which is more reliable.
He also said Malawians no longer diversify crops as was common in the past, and are still using outdated farming methods.
“We need to change to mechanization,” he said.
He gave the example that if Malawi ventured into irrigation, it could become the food basket for Africa.
He accused multiparty leaders of using hunger as a campaign tool to win elections, and urged authorities to end subsidy policies that are political in nature.
Malawi has abundant natural resources and ample water that are suitable for irrigation, he noted.Malawi’s John Chilembwe gets statue in London’s Trafalgar Square
The question remains whether Malawians should blame their policymakers or themselves for treating hunger as if it is in their blood.
It is the duty of everyone—authorities and citizens alike—to act.
Malawians are tired of hunger, and if they hold hands together, they can feed themselves.