Latest report by the World Meteorological Organization has disclosed that in 2024, Malawi together with southern African nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe experienced the worst drought in at least two decades.

The report titled “State of the Climate in Africa” says the extreme weather conditions and climate change are posing serious challenges to food security across the African region.

The report further says that these conditions are giving rise to natural disasters such as flooding, resulting in displacement of people and insecurity.

However, agriculture expert Leonard Chimwaza says failure to utilize weather forecasts remains a challenge among Malawian farmers, resulting in continued weather-related repercussions on agriculture.

Another expert, Ronald Chilumba has urged the country to go into serious irrigation farming, and adopt the use of genetically modified seeds to counter the effects of climate related challenges. 

"We have not utilized the resources that we have. Our neighbouring countries have been using GMOs which are supporting their food availability."

According to the report, the year 2024 was the hottest on record, with prolonged droughts that caused widespread crop failure in countries such as Malawi.