The MwAPATA Institute is an independent agricultural policy think tank in Malawi. The Institute is engaging the Government of Malawi, private sector, and civil society stakeholders in a program of applied policy analysis, policy outreach, capacity building, and policy coordination. MwAPATA was established with a grant from the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World via Michigan State University and continues with the support of various strategic partners.

MwAPATA Institute

RECENT EVENTS

LEAP4YOUTH Project Conducts District Youth Engagement Meetings

As part of the process of institutionalizing youth-led agri-food systems platforms in the LEAP4YOUTH Project, MwAPATA, in partnership with the National Youth Council of Malawi (NYCOM), with support from AGRA, conducted a district policy clinic with youth networks in Mchinji and an Agri-Skills Lab for youths in Zomba. The Mchinji Policy Clinic was held at Mchinji Community Hall from 2nd to 3rd February 2026, while the Zomba Agri-Skills Lab was held at Zomba Community Stadium Hall from 6th to 7th February 2026.

The aim of the Policy Clinic was to strengthen youth engagement in agri-food policymaking by generating evidence and establishing institutionalized feedback mechanisms. Through the policy clinics, the project raised awareness of agricultural and youth-related policies as well as implementation mechanisms. The Policy Clinic also exposed the youths to vital knowledge about the available youth opportunities in the agri-food systems. MwAPATA research findings on available youth opportunities and the agricultural incentive booklet were also shared during the Policy Clinic.

On the other hand, the Agri-Skills Lab for youths in Zomba equipped young farmers, agripreneurs, and innovators with the critical skills necessary for mindset change towards effective engagement in agriculture policy-making processes and an understanding of agricultural and youth-related policies, strategies, and implementation mechanisms. The youths were also introduced to Policy Advocacy as well as Policy Formulation and Implementation Processes to enhance their understanding of their role in the process in order to strengthen their active participation in agri-food systems policymaking.

Read more in the Policy Clinic Report and the Agri-Skills Lab Report.

MwAPATA Participates in the Inaugural Malawi National Food Systems Technical Working Group Meeting

MwAPATA’s Research Fellow, Dr Anderson Gondwe and Research Analyst, Mrs Dinah Salonga, participated in the inaugural National Food Systems Technical Working Group (TWG) meeting, which was convened by the Ministry of Agriculture - Malawi and the National Planning Commission of Malawi, with support from GIZ Malawi’s STEP UP! Project. The meeting was held at the 44 Hotel in Lilongwe on Thursday, 5 February 2026. The meeting brought together various stakeholders in Malawi’s Food Systems, including government ministries and departments, civil society organizations, the private sector, academia, financial institutions, research institutions, development partners, and the media.

During the meeting, five sub-TWGs were established on critical pillars for coordinated action. These are: Policy and Programmes; Advocacy and Communications; Fundraising; Capacity Building; as well as Research, Monitoring & Evaluation. The Food Systems TWG formulation reflects Malawi’s growing commitment towards strengthening the coordination, financing, and governance of the country’s food systems transformation.