Collective Action Enhances Resilience and Rural Livelihoods in Malawi

Researchers at Seoul National University have explored the impact of smallholder farmers' participation in collective action on household income and food security in Kasungu District, Malawi. The study, conducted in collaboration with Good Neighbors International and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation - NORAD, examined the effects of collective action under recent and compounding risks in Malawi. The findings suggest that cooperative membership significantly increased household income and improved dietary diversity, even amid deteriorating food security conditions in the region. However, results varied by gender, with male-headed households experiencing improvements in both income and food security, while female-headed households did not see significant improvement in dietary diversity.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that smallholder farmers in Malawi who participated in collective action experienced a significant increase in household income and improved dietary diversity, despite compounding risks such as climate change, global conflicts, and food insecurity.
• Cooperative membership had a more pronounced impact on male-headed households, with both income and food security improving, while female-headed households experienced an increase in income but not significant improvement in dietary diversity.
• The study suggests that collective action can enhance resilience and rural livelihoods under uncertain conditions, but highlights the need for strategies to ensure equitable outcomes, particularly for female-headed households.
• Non-governmental organizations played a key mediating role in facilitating farmers' participation in collective action.
• The study used a mixed-methods approach, including qualitative focus group discussions and a quantitative household survey with 475 farmers.

Statistics:

• 475 farmers participated in the household survey.
• 10 focus group discussions were conducted to identify the perceived benefits of participation in cooperatives.
• Cooperative membership significantly increased household income by 23% among male-headed households.
• Dietary diversity improved among cooperative members, with a 15% increase in the number of food groups consumed.
• The study was implemented in Kasungu District, Malawi, in 2025, a period marked by climate shocks and market instability.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Data from Seoul National University Provide New Insights into Sustainable Food Systems (Collective Action Under Risk and Uncertainty: Assessing Impacts On Smallholder Farmers' Income and Food Security In Malawi). Ecology, Environment & Conservation. August 29, 2025; p 54.
• Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. Collective Action Under Risk and Uncertainty: Assessing Impacts On Smallholder Farmers' Income and Food Security In Malawi. 2025;9.