The World Food Programme (WFP) and the Italian government have partnered to expand home-grown school feeding and climate-smart agricultural interventions in Malawi’s Chikwawa district, addressing the country’s challenges posed by climate shocks.
Italy has contributed €4 million to support the Home-Grown School Feeding programme, an initiative that supports climate-smart agriculture and sustainable school meals by connecting schools with local farmers in Malawi’s Chikwawa district.
The funding is expected to provide nutritious meals to 20,800 children across 17 primary schools in Chikwawa while strengthening the national school feeding programme, which already benefits over 800,000 children nationwide.
WFP Malawi interim country director Simon Denhere said the support from Italy would drive lasting impact by integrating food security, education and livelihoods.
“This initiative goes beyond school meals; it strengthens entire communities. By linking smallholder farmers to schools and equipping them with resilience practices, we are improving children’s nutrition while helping communities recover from weather related shocks and to prepare for the future,” Denhere said.
By sourcing ingredients locally, the programme boosts market opportunities for smallholder farmers – particularly women – increasing their productivity and income.
The project would also enhance farmers’ resilience by promoting weather-resistant crops, sustainable farming practices and irrigation systems, preparing communities for future climate shocks.
“Investing in school feeding and agriculture lays the foundation for lasting benefits for children, farmers, and the broader economy, fostering self-reliance and stability,” Italian ambassador to Malawi and Zambia, Enrico de Agostini said.
Partners include Malawi’s ministries of Agriculture and Education, Save the Children and district authorities, with implementation focused on fostering self-reliance and stability.
JN/APA