On Thursday, 4th December 2025, the DCAFS Troika Head of Cooperations held a courtesy meeting with the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Roza Fatch Mbilizi, M.P. One key observation from both the Minister and the HoCs was that, despite significant resource investment in the sector, Malawi continues to experience persistent annual food shortages, vulnerability to climate shocks, and limited export volumes. This suggests that Malawi is not getting the return from huge agricultural investments. The question, therefore, remains, “What is being done wrong?” They both agreed on the need to improve sector management to deliver value for money, improve coordination among sector players and across all sectors, establish joint monitoring and evaluation, and enhance mutual accountability, integrity, and discipline among all managers and implementers.
In her remarks, the DCAFS Chair reaffirmed the Development Partners' commitment to the sector, as demonstrated by the current overall funding of about US$1.66 billion through 70 projects spanning 2022 to 2029, with an average annual commitment of US$368.5 million and an annual disbursement of US$276 million.
The Troika HoCs present were Bernadette Mukonyora, IFAD Malawi Country Director and DCAFS Chair; H.E. Kate Brady, Ambassador, Embassy of Ireland; and Ben Nicholson, Deputy High Commissioner and Development Director of FCDO Malawi.