Wasting among children under-5 years remains a public health problem in Malawi, despite the quest to improve food availability through Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP). As such, the study examined the link between FISP and child wasting. Using Malawi Integrated Household Panel Surveys for 2013, 2016, and 2019, two-stage least squares approach was employed to run a Cobb Douglas production function and a correlated Random Effects (CRE) Model to account for endogeneity challenges and an unbalanced panel dataset. The study hypothesized the role of FISP to dietary diversity at the household level on child wasting [weight-for-height (WHZ)]. Based on the analysis, the study found that household access to FISP coupons was not a stand-alone predictor for low wasting among children under-5 years. However, increased maize production due to FISP coupon access significantly correlated with lower wasting likelihood incidences at the household level. Worth to note, that in 2015/16, households that had accessed FISP coupons and were in the central region had higher wasting probabilities among the children under-5 years in Malawi compared to other counterparts panels. This implies challenges to addressing wasting among children under-5 years– which can be attributed to higher redemption costs of the FISP coupon. Therefore, the current study suggests that input subsidies can improve the reduction of wasting among children under-5 years through specific pathways, among them, increased maize production and considering appropriate targeted approaches to ensure households access the inputs for sustained food availability, which in turn enhances improved the children under-5 years health dividends in Malawi.

Inefficient potato seed system in multiplication and distribution has been one of the major challenge facing potato production in Malawi. As a result, small farmers recycle traditional potato varieties that attracts many problems at the market. Government of Malawi and International Potato Center introduced new potato varieties in 2012-2013 winter season with the hope to improve the problem. However there a need to evaluate farmer's preference and analyses seed demand in order to coordinate multiplication and distribution of these potato varieties. Thus, the study carried out sensitivity analysis on changes in seed demand with the changes in output and input prices using a derived demand function. The second objective was to assess which of the improved potato variety, small farmers prefer. Cross sectional data was collected on an aggregated total of 168 potato small farmers in 2016 in Dedza and Ntcheu districts. Study results indicated that market price, output and labor cost were significant and positively contributing to farmer's choice to produce improved potato varieties. On farmer's seed preference, Chuma variety was more preferred followed by Mwai and Thandizo varieties.