The Economics Association of Malawi (ECAMA) with support from the Malawi Strategy Support Program (MaSSP) of the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA) in Malawi will host its Inaugural Research Symposium from 8–10 October 2014 in Lilongwe. As part of the symposium, MaSSP is offering two exciting workshops on October 8th, targeted at officials from government and non-governmental institutions, academics and researchers, and development partners. Workshops are open also to those not intending to participate in the remainder of the symposium. The entire symposium, including the workshops, will be held at the Sogecoa Golden Peacock hotel. Pre-registration is required (see instructions below).
Workshop I: 8 October 2014, 9.00am–12.00pm
Strengthening storage, credit, and food security linkages: The role and potential impact of WRSs in Malawi
Warehouse receipt systems (WRSs) are a relatively new commercial instrument in Malawi that offer owners of agricultural commodities (e.g., maize or soya) certified storage that could reduce post-harvest losses, access to formal credit, and improved market linkages. As such, it has the potential to facilitate trade, smooth seasonality in market prices, help farmers overcome cash constraints, and improve market efficiency and food security. Currently the Agricultural Commodities Exchange for Africa (ACE) and Auction Holdings Commodities Exchange (AHCX) operate WRSs in Malawi. Both systems have succeeded in giving traders access to high-quality storage and credit. However, there is a perception that WRSs are not as accessible to smallholder farmers or perhaps not as well tailored to their specific needs. This workshop attempts to address questions such as: Is a WRS an appropriate tool for helping smallholder farmers improve their food security? What are the barriers to accessing WRSs? What alternative storage models linked to credit may be better suited to the needs of smallholders, particularly smaller producers or net-consumers? This workshop will connect government, WRS operators, development partners, implementers, and researchers in order to debate these questions and determine areas for future investigation
Confirmed speakers: Karl Pauw and Brent Edelman (IFPRI); Kristian Schach Möller (ACE); Daniel Chilima (AHCX); and Chrispin Magombo (Save the Children)
Workshop II: 8 October 2014, 1.30pm–4.30pm
Unpacking the “black box” of public expenditure statistics: Lessons from a diagnostic analysis of how data on public expenditures for the agricultural sector are captured and recent public expenditure reviews
As part of a research program carried under the CGIAR’s Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) program housed within IFPRI, several IFPRI researchers are undertaking a detailed diagnostic-analytical look at how data on public expenditures for the agricultural sector are captured in government financial and budget accounts. At this workshop we will draw on studies undertaken Mozambique, Kenya, and Malawi to better understand the “black box” of public expenditure statistics and how it varies across countries. The aim is to equip analysts with a clear framework and the necessary skills to identify levels and compositions of government agriculture expenditures and to better interpret existing government accounts. We also offer an opportunity for participants to revisit the findings of the World Bank Agricultural Public Expenditure Review (AgPER). We also reflect on newly tabled budget for Malawi in 2014/15 and consider its implications.
Confirmed speakers: Tewodaj Mogues, Bingxin Yu, and Chance Mwabutwa (IFPRI)
We look forward to welcoming you at the workshops. Please register for either or both workshops before Monday October 6th by emailing ifpri-ecama@cgiar.org. Please include your name, affiliation, phone number, and which events you will attend. Accommodation and transport reimbursements may be available to some pre-registered participants travelling from outside Lilongwe; participants requesting such support must apply and motivate their request. MaSSP acknowledges funding from USAID Malawi (under the Feed the Future initiative), Irish Aid Malawi, Save the Children Malawi, and the CGIAR’s PIM program. The National Authorizing Office of the European Union is the major funder of the ECAMA Research Symposium. For further information please contact Karl Pauw (+265-991-261031).
