MalawiFoodSystems_Focus_group_discussions

The focus group discussions (FGDs) were undertaken in rural areas of two districts of Malawi, Lilongwe District in Central Malawi and Phalombe District in Southern Malawi - specifically, in one 'traditional authority' area in each of Lilongwe District and Phalombe District. In each district, we received permission from traditional heads (chiefs or village heads) to undertake focus group discussions. The traditional heads organized for a group of adults of different ages (18 years and over) in the villages to attend the FGDs. Sixteen FGDs of 8-12 adults were undertaken – two groups for male participants and two groups for female participants, in each of the two districts and at each time point. Data were collected at two time points – May 2017, representing a post-harvest season when maize prices are expected to be low, and February/March 2018 representing a lean season (usually October to March) with maize prices expected to be high. The interview guides for the FGDs were informed by the Policy Triangle framework for understanding policy processes, and domains of the Shiffman and Smith framework for analysing political prioritisation. They covered six key domains: participant roles/occupations; views of FISP; how FISP policy is made; key actors involved with FISP; nutrition as an issue in FISP; and wider political, economic and social context for FISP.