HIV/AIDS, Agriculture and Food Security in Malawi

Abstract

This paper intends to provide input to a 'Think Tank' involving scientists, policy makers and development workers from key organisations. Think Tank participants refined priorities for Malawi's participation in a multi-country, action research project aimed at enabling agricultural organisations to respond effectively to AIDS, in collaboration with organisations in social development and public health. The research team held discussions with a number of organisations (public, international, NGOs, and Community Based Organisations) in order to get a picture of the HIV/AIDS-agriculture related issues that these organisations deal with. They also drew information from previous studies taken in the country and elsewhere, in order to come up with a more comprehensive picture of the situation.

Results from the study show that:

- in many cases, there is little reliable evidence to guide agriculturally linked actions that seek to prevent the spread of HIV or mitigate AIDS' impacts

- the impact of HIV/AIDS on agricultural sector institutions is still not well quantified but has been severe

- the tendency is for the government to leave grassroots activities that can really make an impact on the quality of lives of families at risk of HIV and affected by AIDS to NGOs

- possibly the most difficult barrier for agricultural organisations is to get over as to contribute to prevention and mitigation of at risk and affected people and respond accordingly

- there are important opportunities for collaboration between organisations in the public health/AIDS sector and the agricultural or rural sector

- communal programmes such as village nurseries were also not attractive to AIDS affected individuals and families. 

There is clearly a need to respond to the large challenges posed by HIV/AIDS. There is already evidence that organisations working in Research, Development and Exchange in agriculture can contribute to the prevention of HIV/AIDS spread. It is also important to remember that HIV/AIDS is not the only force that threatens rural livelihood and food security. Furthermore, responses must take account of the fact that local factors are important in determining the pace at which the epidemic is developing, the magnitude of its effects and hence feasible responses. Affected households and communities have been far from passive, and organisations should support their responses.