The Impact of Donor and NGO Activities on Maize Seed and Fertilizer Markets and Food Security in Malawi.

A study was carried out in Mitundu, Chiwamba and Chiponde EPAs to analyze the impact of donor and NGO activities on maize seed and fertilizer markets and food security in Malawi. Farmers, traders and officials were interviewed in both the production and trading activities. The study showed that the free input programme had negative impact on the commercial marketing of maize seed and fertilizer. There was reduced demand hence low volume of sales in wholesale and retail markets. It was further found that the study areas have few private traders in these agricultural inputs than soon after introduction of market liberalization. On the part of production the study results showed that there was positive impact on maize production due to use of fertilizer and improved maize varieties. This positive impact on yields was also related to farm size, and amount of fertilizer used. The study revealed that there was some disruption of retail market for fertilizers as normal supply channels were taken over by the project. Supplies of the maize seed already limited, were diverted from their usual retailers.