"Malawi has pursued an agricultural-led development strategy since independence in 1964 but is facing increasing difficulties in achieving economic growth, poverty reduction, and food security for its people (Dorward and Kydd 2002). One of the main culprits is sub-optimal policies. The policy formulation process in Malawi involves consultations however these consultations are not held to the extent necessary to back the respective policy option with sound analytical information on which to base policy decisions. There are four main interlinked reasons likely to explain this phenomenon: Lack of resources, perverse incentives, few research entry points, and shortage of qualified government technocrats. Even where policies are evidence-based, it does not imply that they will be implemented, the political influence of various interest groups such as donors affected the policies that are implemented by the government. Lack of understanding of how policy decisions are made in the political arena often results in absence of political will to adopt and implement some policies. Unfortunately, research on policy processes in Malawi has been scanty. As result, little knowledge exists on what influences policy decisions and appropriate entry points for research evidence. This study aims to contribute to knowledge by identifying these entry points and developing a clear strategy for communicating evidence to policymakers. The specific objectives are; 1. To analyze the policymaking process, determine the influential players (power relations), source of information utilized by actors, breaks in the communication of research evidence, and identify ways of increasing the use of research evidence. 2. To develop a research evidence communication strategy that can be used by LUANAR and other research institutions to feed information in the process-making process. The project will use Social Network Analysis (SNA) approach informed by the Advocacy Coalition Network theoretical framework to map out the actors, influence, evidence use, and source and potential entry points for research evidence. In keeping with related studies in the past, the Net-Map tool will be used to collect qualitative information on the policy processes. The second output from the project is the communication and advocacy strategy that will be prepared to guide how results generated by FoodMa, Transform, and other programs can find their way into the policymaking arena in Malawi. This is a national project that will seek to map out policy networks that made decisions regarding National Agricultural Investment Plan (NAIP), Fertilizer Subsidy level under Agricultural Input Program (AIP), and Agricultural Trade Policy. One female MSc of Science in Agricultural and Applied Economics student will be supported."