Malawi farmers harvest more maize with WFP support
Levison Kamleka increased his maize yield from four to 21 bags after receiving anticipatory action intervention.
Levison Kamleka, a 45-year-old farmer in Zomba District, harvested 21 bags of maize in the 2025–2026 season, a significant increase from his usual three to four bags. This improvement followed support from the World Food Programme (WFP) through an anticipatory action intervention. Kamleka has used six bags for food and has 14 remaining, stating his days of seeking maize for food are over.
Kamleka's experience is part of WFP Malawi’s Zero Hunger Village (ZHV) model, launched in September 2025 and targeting 1,200 villages and 54,400 beneficiaries. The model integrates agricultural support, irrigation, school meals, nutrition services, climate information, and anticipatory action to combat hunger. In Nsanje District, irrigation support is enabling farmers like Chrissy Edward, 35, to grow crops despite unreliable rainfall.
Edward, from Bithi 1 Village, increased her rice harvest from two to three bags to nine bags from a 0.1-hectare plot using irrigation from the Shire River. Aline Bingara, 52, also in Nsanje, uses irrigation to grow sweet potatoes, maize, rice, and vegetables, enabling her to feed her family and sell surplus produce. The ZHV model aims to improve food availability, household incomes, children’s health, and school attendance.
Why it mattersMalawi farmers are able to secure food supplies and generate income through WFP's agricultural and irrigation support initiatives.