Farmers in Malawi are facing a fertiliser shortage as the planting season approaches, with many expressing concerns about the impact on crop production. The shortage is particularly affecting smallholder farmers who rely on subsidies under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp). According to Joseph Mwasiya, chairperson of Nzeru N’chuma Farmers Club in Blantyre, farmers in his area are desperate and do not know how to cope with the fertiliser shortage.
The fertiliser shortage is also affecting the production of Mbeya fertiliser, an alternative soil enriching product that requires inorganic fertiliser as a key ingredient. Many farmers are yet to start producing Mbeya fertiliser due to the lack of inorganic fertiliser, and some have expressed concerns that further delays would result in poor harvests in the 2026/27 growing season. Gift Sauzane, a farmer from Madisi in Dowa, said that the Mbeya fertiliser requires at least 21 days to prepare, and the delay in accessing inorganic fertiliser would disrupt farmers’ preparations for the growing season.
According to data from the Fertiliser Association of Malawi (FAM), the country has approximately 148,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser in stock, against an estimated annual requirement of between 450,000 and 475,000 metric tonnes. This leaves a potential shortfall of more than 300,000 metric tonnes, raising concerns about fertiliser availability and affordability as farmers prepare for the growing season.
A spot-check by The Nation in various regions of the country showed that some farmers are yet to start producing Mbeya fertiliser due to the lack of inorganic fertiliser. The farmers interviewed said they are waiting to redeem farm inputs under Fisp as they cannot afford chemical fertiliser, which is currently selling at K205,000 a 50-kilogramme bag. The delay in accessing fertiliser has raised concerns about the impact on crop production and the potential for lower yields.
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi said that this year’s Fisp has prioritised hard-to-reach areas that receive early rains to ensure preparedness at the onset of rains. She said the exercise has started in districts such as Chitipa, Mwanza, Neno, Chikwawa, Nsanje, and areas such as Makanjira in Mangochi. The ministry has prioritised districts where rains are expected to start earlier, as well as areas that are difficult to reach.
However, experts have expressed concerns about the delay in accessing fertiliser, warning that it could affect both planting schedules and preparations for Mbeya fertiliser. Mwapata Institute executive director William Chadza said that the mixture takes about 21 days to prepare, and delays in accessing inorganic fertiliser would disrupt farmers’ preparations for the growing season. He further warned that late access to farm inputs could lead to lower crop yields and leave farmers more vulnerable to anticipated El Niño-related climate shocks.
Despite the concerns, Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development spokesperson Salome Gangire expressed optimism that farmers would access fertiliser before the onset of the rainy season. She said the ministry has prioritised districts where rains are expected to start earlier, as well as areas that are difficult to reach. Fisp was launched in Ntchisi on September 24, and requires each beneficiary to contribute K50,000 towards a package comprising two 50kg bags of fertiliser, subsidised at K20,000 each, and a five kg packet of certified maize seed costing K10,000.
Key points
- The fertiliser shortage in Malawi is affecting smallholder farmers who rely on subsidies under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp).
- The delay in accessing fertiliser is also affecting the production of Mbeya fertiliser, an alternative soil enriching product.
- The country has a potential shortfall of more than 300,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser, raising concerns about fertiliser availability and affordability.
