Do Fertilizer Subsidies Improve Household Food Security? A Spatial Autocorrelation Analysis from Malawi

Abstract

In recent years, a number of Sub-Saharan African countries have resumed farm input subsidies in order to stimulate farm level fertilizer application, enhance food security and alleviate poverty. In this study, spatial analysis is employed to examine whether fertilizer subsidies improve household food security in Malawi. Results suggest that household food security is heavily skewed with the south lagging behind the centre and the north. With regard to distribution of subsidised fertilizer, it is recommended that the areas with higher potential for maize production should be prioritised over those with less potential. It is also suggested that there is a need to ensure that the subsidy programme is guided by a properly formulated strategy that indicates an exit period.