Livelihoods and the Changing Context and Terms of Ganyu Labour in Malawi

Abstract

Ganyu, a form of casualised labour in Malawi, is a prominent source of food and income for especially struggling rural households. The aim of the paper is to explore and analyse the ganyu phenomenon and its changing nature in Malawi to grasp the interaction of the complex issues shaping livelihoods and driving ganyu. A critical understanding of the dimensions of ganyu is essential to appreciate its different facets. The paper argues that ganyu is an informal safety net for households to diversify their livelihoods and cope with persistent vulnerability to floods and droughts. The paper is unique and significant in providing a convincing explanation of the evolution and the changing nature of ganyu, both in rural and urban areas. The paper recommends the Malawian government to formally acknowledge and accept the contribution and importance of ganyu as a social safety net. To this extent, the study makes a modest but meaningful contribution towards the literature on off-farm livelihoods strategies.