Agricultural Policy Research Unit

The major function of the Agriculture Policy Research Unit is to undertake policy oriented research inorder to generate information to increase both estate and smallholder agricultural productivity and reduce the incidence of food insecurity,malnutrition and poverty. APRU's strategic plan priotises the following research areas.

Food security and Nutrition The research objective is to contribute towards the eradication of food insecurity and malnutrition at Household and National levels.

Natural Resource and Environment The research objective is to contribute towards effective management and sustainable utilization of natural resources.

Market liberalization and trade The research objective is to contribute towards smooth and effetive implementation of market liberization with a view to achieving market effeciency and broadening private sector partcipation in marketing of both inputs and outputs.

Population and HIV/Aids The research objective is to contribute towards an understanding of the interrelationships among health, population and agriculture productivity.

Research and Consultancies APRU's research capacity has contributed to the advancement of more appropriate and effective policies in both the agricultural sector and in environmental and natural resource management and other areas such as the industry particularly the fertilizer industry and also in marketing and trade related issues such as cross boarder trade and its implications to the economy of Malawi The Unit has also conducted research in the area of Comparative Economic Advantage which assessed the country's competitiveness in various areas.

The following are on going research activities

• The survey is being funded by the European Union through the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) in Jakarta, Indonesia and the secrataliat is in Zimbabwe

• The study is being funded by DFID and will run for two years. The project has involved the following institutions: Agricultural Policy Research Unit (APRU), University of Zimbabwe, Jawanhal Nehm University, India and International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

Completed projects

• Malawi National Food Security, Food Situation Survey

• Private Sector Development Project Baseline Survey

• Unrecorded cross-border trade between Malawi and Neighbouring countries.

• Comparative Economic Advantage in Agricultural Trade and Production in Malawi.

• Situation Analysis and outlook of cassava and sweet potatoes in SADC countries.

• Agricultural Input and Output Market Reforms in African Countries,Case of maize, fertilizer and maize seeds markets.

• Analysis of Policy Reforms and Structural Adjustment Programs in Malawi with emphasis on Agriculture and Trade

• Estate food Security and Nutrition in Malawi case of Kasungu, Mulanje and Mangochi Districts

• A multi-Market Analysis of Agricultural Policies in Malawi

• Socio-Economic study of the a community forest program in Lilongwe forestry project.

• The UNDP/GOM sustainable livelihoods and food security program review.

• PROSCARP baseline social economic survey.

• Impact of Market reforms on smallholder farmers in Malawi.

• Community Based Natural Resource Management.

• Methodology of determining and Monitoring rural per-capita income im Malawi.

• Market access project.

The Agricultural Policy Research Unit is also linked to a training Unit in the name of Agricultural Policy Analysis Training Unit (APATU) These two Units are housed within the same complex and share common facilities such as computer laboratories,internet facilities, a well furnished documentation section and a 30-bed hostel with well-furnished laundry, kitchen and a recreation centre for hosting national and international workshop and training courses.

Jointly, APRU and APATU's training programmes have contributed to the creation of a favorable policy environment for the widespread adoption of improved agricultural technologies.The Agricultural Policy Research Unit in conjunction with the Agricultural Policy Analysis Training Unit has conducted research projects and training courses in various areas at national, regional and international levels.