How Rural Malawi is Fighting Hunger Through Climate Action
The climate crisis is a major driver of global hunger, and its effects are being deeply felt in rural Malawi. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall and unpredictable weather patterns have devastated agricultural productivity, exacerbating food insecurity across the country. For many, access to food has become increasingly precarious. Approximately 5.7 million people in Malawi struggle with food insecurity, and 71% of the population lives in extreme poverty. Rural communities, in particular, face significant challenges, often lacking the resources and job opportunities necessary to develop sustainably.
In response, our team in Malawi has taken bold action to address these challenges through climate adaptation and resilience-building initiatives. Their efforts are grounded in the belief that sustainable solutions must be rooted in local knowledge and community-led action. As part of this, they focus on strengthening communities so they can better withstand environmental damage and the climate challenges that put food security at risk.
In the region around Majete Wildlife Reserve, which has long been affected by drought, the introduction of drought-resistant crops such as sorghum and millet has transformed farming practices. For the first time, community members at the Majete 8 Epicenter have started planting these crops, marking a shift away from traditional maize cultivation. Francis Kamphoodza (pictured below in the purple shirt), a trained community mobilizer, called an animator, has been instrumental in this transition. Through his advocacy and leadership, he has helped the community embrace these more resilient crops, which are better suited to the changing climate.
