WFP support boosts Malawi farmer's maize harvest to 21 bags

Levison Kamleka, a 45-year-old farmer in Zomba District, harvested 21 bags of maize in the 2025-2026 farming season, an increase from his usual three to four bags. This improvement followed support from the World Food Programme (WFP) through an anticipatory action intervention. Kamleka used six bags for food and has 14 remaining.

Kamleka, from Group Village Mkanda, Senior Chief Mulumbe, stated that he sees a future in such initiatives because he can now secure food and plans for relish daily, ending the struggle for maize. His experience is part of WFP Malawi’s Zero Hunger Village (ZHV) model, launched in September 2025, which targets 1,200 villages and 54,400 beneficiaries across 14 districts.

In Nsanje District, another drought-prone area, irrigation support under the ZHV model is helping farmers like Chrissy Edward grow crops. Edward, 35, harvested nine bags of rice from her 0.1-hectare plot using irrigation, up from two to three bags previously, enabling her to sell surplus and pay school fees for her daughters. Aline Bingara, 52, also uses irrigation to grow sweet potatoes, maize, rice, and vegetables.

Why it mattersMalawian farmers are experiencing increased food security and income through WFP's Zero Hunger Village model, which provides agricultural support and irrigation.

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