Climate Change Impacts on Maize Production in the Warm Heart of Africa

Kondwani Msowoya, Kaveh Madani, Rahman Davtalab, Ali Mirchi and Jay R. Lund
Additional contact information
Kondwani Msowoya: University of Central Florida
Rahman Davtalab: University of Central Florida
Ali Mirchi: The University of Texas at El Paso
Jay R. Lund: University of California

Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), 2016, vol. 30, issue 14, No 21, 5299-5312

Abstract: Abstract Agriculture is the mainstay of economy in Malawi - the warm heart of Africa. It employs 85 % of the labour force, and produces one third of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and 90 % of foreign exchange earnings. Maize farming covers over 92 % of Malawi’s agricultural land and contributes over 54 % of national caloric intake. With a subtropical climate and ~99 % rainfed agriculture, Malawi relies heavily on precipitation for its agricultural production. Given the significance of rainfed maize for the nation’s labour force and GDP, we have investigated climate change effects on this staple crop. We show that rainfed maize production in the Lilongwe District, the largest maize growing district in Malawi, may decrease up to 14 % by mid-century due to climate change, rising to as much as 33 % loss by the century’s end. These declines can substantially harm Malawi’s food production and socioeconomic status. Supplemental irrigation, crop diversification and natural conservation methods are promising adaptation strategies to improve Malawi’s food security and socioeconomic stability.

Keywords: Climate change; Maize; Corn; Rainfed agriculture; Food security; Malawi; Lilongwe District (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (14)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11269-016-1487-3

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