Narratives, climate change and agricultural policy processes in Malawi

This paper focuses on interplay among narratives, climate change and agriculture policy processes in Malawi. The paper analyses emerging policy narratives about climate change and agriculture that are stimulating, shaping and influencing these debates. The motivation for this paper draws from an increasing number of government and non-government actors involved in climate change debates on agriculture with different starting points, narratives and goals. Based on extensive empirical data, the paper argues that prevailing narratives on climate change and agriculture in Malawi shape policy discussions and interventions that are implemented in both complementing and competing ways. Interests held by actors determine the policy trajectory in that where interests are colliding, policy interventions are competitive. Complementing policy interventions emerge where common interests exist among policy stakeholders. This is demonstrated by programmes that undermine ability of smallholder farmers to adapt to climate change whilst others advocate for crop diversification and agricultural subsidies. The paper concludes that policies and programme activities are framed in diverse way depending on how climate change and agriculture issues are perceived and narrated as well as how power is exercised among different players, mainly, policymakers, donors and civil society organizations.