Agricultural input subsidy scheme, food security and nutrition among under-five children in Malawi

Child undernutrition is a global health challenge, highly burdening developing countries, especially the poor residing in rural areas. Food insecurity, low agricultural productivity and child undernutrition remain a challenge regardless of the government's efforts to provide subsidised agricultural inputs to farmers. Although previous studies have established the factors affecting child nutrition, less is known about the interaction between input schemes, food security and nutrition among children under five in Malawi. This is especially important given the importance of input availability and food security in improving child nutrition. Understanding this interaction is essential in determining where undernutrition originates and contributes to policymaking, enhancing resource allocation for those who need it. This study adds to the existing literature by investigating the interaction between input availability, food security and nutrition among children under five in Malawi. The study used data from two waves of the Integrated Household Survey (2019/20 and 2024/25) from the Malawi National Statistics Office. The study used thematic maps and instrumental variable methods. The findings show regional disparities in child nutrition, the farm input subsidy program and food security in Malawi. The southern region had a higher proportion of households receiving farm input subsidy program coupons than the central and northern regions. Regardless, the southern region also experienced a high prevalence of food insecurity and child undernutrition in terms of low height-for-age, weight-for-age and weight-for-height. In addition, results indicated that agricultural input subsidies are associated with better child nutrition. The study indicated that food security insignificantly influences child nutrition in Malawi. Disaggregated results highlight that the association of inputs with child nutrition is stronger in children from rural and patrilineal households. Therefore, policymakers should integrate agricultural input subsidies into health and nutrition strategies to ensure significant improvement in nutrition status, as they contribute towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals.