This study illustrates the sociocultural construction of Nsima/Maize as a metaphor for rural Malawians, representing both food and a significant aspect of their identity. Despite climate change and a lack of access to resources such as fertiliser, rural farmers emphasise maize farming for their sustenance, often defying government guidelines on which crops to plant each season. The analysis of interviews with key informants at local and national levels has revealed a requirement for transdisciplinary research in the area of food security in Malawi. The paper demonstrates that to combat food insecurity in Malawi, researchers, policymakers, and local community members must work together to find sustainable solutions. At the same time, they must shape social and political narratives to include non-nsima/maize food items as "food" in their own right rather than just a substitute. Promoting dietary diversification and dispelling the misconception that nsima is the sole food option in Malawi is necessary. This article argues that to promote collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and rural Malawians, food security research and policy should broaden their scope beyond traditional scientific fields to incorporate sociocultural factors. This is because maize/nsima plays a dual role as a staple food and a significant component of people's identities in Malawi.
Keywords: Culture; Food Security; Religion; Transdisciplinary Research
Manuscript submitted to Discover Food Journal |
