Malawi is among the most poor and food insecure countries in the world according to
UNDP’s Human Development Report (2004). Agriculture is the driving force of the
economy of Malawi and the backbone to food security. The government of Malawi
introduced a program called One Village One Product (OVOP) in 2003 whose major
objective is poverty reduction by bringing economic independence into the communities.
However, no effort had been made to evaluate the program and its activities hence creating an
information gap. This study was therefore conducted in OVOP operation area of Bvumbwe in
Thyolo district, Malawi to assess the impact of One Village One Product (OVOP) program
on households’ farm income and its implications on food security. Primary data was collected
from a total of 80 beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of One Village One Product (OVOP)
program. Out of the 52 beneficiaries, 40 were systematically selected and the other 40 was
collected randomly from the non-beneficiaries in the area. The data were collected in April
2006 by the use of structured questionnaires and focus group discussion guide. Data was
analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi – squares, t-test and the Ordinary Least Squared
Technique of multiple regression method. A likert scaling technique was used to rate farmers’
perception of the effect of OVOP on farm activities. The results indicated that there was a
significant difference in the levels of household farm income between beneficiaries and non
beneficiaries of OVOP. The OVOP beneficiaries were found to be better off in terms of
household food security through increased food basket, enterprise diversification and food
access which was attained through higher farm income. However, farmers’ socio-economic
characteristics did not adequately explain the disparity in household farm income. This
implies that there are some other factors that are closely associated with agricultural
production and participation in programs such as OVOP, which may require further
investigation. Participation in OVOP and household size were found to be positively
associated with household farm income. The study recommends expansion of the OVOP
program to target the vulnerable groups and government intervention fast track infrastructural
development in the area to facilitate value addition, processing and storage facilities.