Last week, IFPRI, with support from a multi-partner planning committee, held a high-level event to explore the evidence on best practices for improving the functionality of staple food markets. Evidence shows that issues of inflation and price seasonality can negatively impact food security and economic growth, but that there are policy solutions for addressing these challenges. The core objective of the event was to present evidence and practical experience for policy consideration. We were honored to have the event officially opened by Rt. Hon. Dr. Saulos Chilima, Vice President of Malawi, after welcome remarks from IFPRI's Director General Dr. Shenggen Fan. Pulling together high level policy makers with technical experts, civil society and private sector representative, the event inspired lively debate about the constraints and opportunities for increasing growth and stability in Malawi's maize market. You can view the agenda and summary of presentations here, and visit our Slideshare page to view the full presentations. A report from the event and summary of evidence will be disseminated soon.
Special thanks to the planning committee, which included representatives from DFID, FAO, LUANAR, MSU (NAPAS project), Government of Flanders and the World Bank, and to USAID for funding through IFPRI's "Strengthening Evidence-based Agriculture Policy" project.
