Malawi is one of the world’s poorest countries, 90% of the population lives below the income poverty line of US$2 a day threshold. Most are smallholder farmers with subsistence crops on small plots with low yields. 80% of Malawi is planted with maize so in poor seasons there are widespread food shortages. Many households with large families and small plots suffer chronic food insecurity and malnutrition. Catholic Relief Services support U.S. programs that help address hunger around the world that help communities improve food output to become more self-sufficient through improved agriculture, nutrition and livelihood diversification.
Assignment for Catholic Relief Services looking at food security and poverty in Malawi, the story of food from seed to a meal on a family's table, bringing awareness to American families of the lives of rural Malawians.