New Alliance Policy Acceleration Support (NAPAS) Activity: Quarter 1, 2016

The activity is being implemented by Michigan State University (MSU) in collaboration with the University of Pretoria (UP) and the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). The project aims to provide effective technical support to the Government of Malawi to implement the policy reforms agenda committed to under the New Alliance Country Cooperation Framework for Malawi. The NAPAS: Malawi team has been working on accelerating the necessary processes for finalizing the National Agriculture Policy (NAP) and the Contract Farming Strategy (CFS). Both documents have been validated and are undergoing internal government processes prior to being endorsed and adopted by the Government of Malawi. The NAPAS: Malawi team has drafted a cabinet paper requesting the Government of Malawi to consider endorsing and adopting the NAP. The cabinet paper was submitted to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) and is scheduled for review by the PS and cabinet before approval. The NAPAS: Malawi team has also been working on the Contract Farming Strategy (CFS) document, which is being finalized for submission to the Minister through the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development by end of June 2016. The team has been working closely with the Department of Planning in the Ministry of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development as well as officials of the Ministry of Trade and Industry to finalize the document. In addition, the NAPAS: Malawi team has been working on the Agricultural Extension Policy, which is being reviewed by the Department of Agricultural Extension Services (DAES). The team has been working closely with the DAES to help draft a report emanating from the inputs solicited during the government meetings. The report was submitted to the PS of Agriculture. The NAPAS: Malawi team has also been working on the Irrigation Concept Note, which was developed in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Planning Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. The concept note aims to enhance the resilience of the food production system in Malawi and address the food insecurity crisis. The team has been working on background analyses and literature reviews as well as revising different versions of the concept note. The NAPAS: Malawi team has also been working on supporting the Department of Agricultural Planning Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development with developing a concept note on irrigation for enhanced food production. The team has been working on background analyses and literature reviews as well as revising different versions of the concept note. The NAPAS: Malawi team has also been working on supporting the SEG office of USAID/Malawi with technical input on breaking the cycle of food insecurity in Malawi. The team has been working on compiling a document that tracks progress on draft laws and policies being developed or under development in Malawi. The NAPAS: Malawi