Food insecurity in Malawi: Regional disparities, sociocultural determinants, and the role of mobile advisory services

Abstract

Food insecurity persists as a significant challenge globally, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa, where structural, environmental, and socio-cultural factors exacerbate the crisis. In Malawi, regional disparities in food insecurity are pronounced, with the southern region heavily affected by environmental shocks, the central region plagued by soil degradation, and the northern region hindered by infrastructural gaps. This study bridges critical gaps in the literature by investigating regional and socio-cultural determinants of food insecurity while incorporating a novel farmer-driven technological intervention. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines thematic analyses of qualitative data with quantitative techniques, including Kruskal-Wallis tests, logistic regression, and conjoint analysis, to examine predictors of food security and adoption of mobile advisory services. Key findings reveal that education level has a significant influence on farmers’ willingness to adopt mobile services, with cost and delivery mode emerging as pivotal factors in adoption preferences. The study highlights the importance of targeted, region-specific policies integrating technological interventions to enhance agricultural productivity, address systemic inequities, and promote resilience. These insights contribute to Sustainable Development Goal 2—Zero Hunger—by offering actionable strategies for addressing food insecurity in Malawi and similar contexts.