In Malawi, the vast majority of people live in rural areas, and 97 percent of them depend on farming — primarily maize cultivation —for their livelihoods.

Maize is not just a staple food; it’s the backbone of food security. Yet, this vital crop faces a growing threat: the fall armyworm.

This invasive pest has wreaked havoc on maize production, contributing to up to 70 percent of crop losses. Any significant decline in maize yields spells disaster for food availability—and hunger becomes inevitable.

The fall armyworm is notoriously resistant to most pesticides. So, could genetically modified (GM) maize be the solution?

Voices from the Fields

Rejoice Mariko, a mother of three from Kasale Village in Ntcheu District, shares her ordeal:

“Fall armyworms attacked my maize fields. I expected to harvest over 70 bags, but I only got 35. I don’t have enough food, and I can’t sell any. My plans to build a house from the maize sales have collapsed.”

She pleads for innovation:

“They should develop a maize variety that resists fall armyworms. It would help us protect our crops.”

William Moyo from Mpalale Village in Dedza echoes the concern:

“These pests are dangerous. They destroy the leaves, reduce yields, and cause hunger. We’re poor and can’t afford chemicals. We need a resistant maize seed.”

The Scale of the Crisis

In Dedza alone, fall armyworms have affected 8,191 hectares of maize and impacted over 24,728 farming households, according to Matilda Mtambo, Director of Agriculture Services. She recommends physical, cultural, and biological pest control methods, given the high cost of chemicals—up to K8,000 per bottle.

In Karonga District, the damage is equally severe. Edmand Mwafuriwa from Mwambuli Village lost nearly 2.5 acres of maize:

“I planned to build rental houses after selling maize, but my dreams are shattered. I didn’t harvest enough for food or income.”

Alfred Nyirenda, Director of Agriculture Services in Karonga, reports that 450 hectares were affected, impacting 921 households. He warns that hunger looms large unless solutions are found.

The Promise of GM Maize

Dr. Kingdom Kwapata, a biotechnology researcher and plant breeder, says most drought-resistant maize varieties are genetically modified. However, Malawi has yet to adopt GM maize.

“There must be strong political will,” he urges. “GM maize could help us combat both drought and fall armyworms.”

The National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), with support from the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), is backing research into GM crops with socioeconomic benefits. In response to the crisis, scientists at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) launched a project to develop fall armyworm-resistant maize.

Dr. Abel Sefasi, a senior lecturer at LUANAR, explains:

“We conducted confined field trials at Bunda and Nombo Farm in Zomba. The GM maize performed well—it resisted fall armyworms and yielded high production.”

Now, multi-location trials are underway in Zomba, Mangochi, and Salima. After three seasons, results will be submitted to the Agriculture Technology Clearing Committee for approval.

Lessons from Other Nations

Countries like Mozambique, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Ghana have successfully adopted GM maize. Malawi has already seen success with GM cotton, introduced in 2019. Yields have jumped from 400 to over 1,000 kilograms per hectare.

Agriculture expert Horace Phiri believes GM seeds could relieve farmers from the financial burden of pesticides:

“Most farmers are resource-constrained. GM technology could be a game-changer.”

A Call to Action

Isn’t it time Malawi embraced more GM crops — like cowpeas, maize, and bananas — that have proven effective elsewhere? With proper safety standards, there’s no reason to delay.

Since 1996, over 70 countries have planted or imported biotech crops, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications (ISAAA).

Malawi must not be left behind.