Malawi's Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Roza Mbilizi, has announced that this year's Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) is prioritizing hard-to-reach areas that receive early rains. The programme has started in districts such as Chitipa, Mwanza, Neno, Makanjira in Mangochi, and the Lower Shire districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje. This move aims to support farmers in areas that are often vulnerable to climate-related shocks.
The government is also promoting crop diversification to help farmers cushion against climate shocks, particularly with El Niño conditions forecast to bring erratic rains. Mbilizi said farmers are being encouraged to grow sorghum, cassava, and potatoes, and that the government will distribute seeds such as sorghum and vines for cassava and potatoes to build resilience. This approach is expected to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce their reliance on traditional crops.
According to Mbilizi, the programme is progressing well, with Chitipa recording a 70 percent redemption rate. The government is targeting 610,931 direct beneficiaries who will receive subsidized inorganic fertilizer and certified seed. However, the number is expected to double to 1,221,862 smallholder farmers through the integration of Mbeya organic fertilizer production, with farmers' organizations playing a central role in implementation.
The Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee (Mvac) has projected that the number of food-insecure families will drop to 2.6 million during the 2026/27 consumption period, representing 14 percent of the country's population. Of the total number of needy households, about 2.5 million are from rural areas, representing a 36 percent decline compared to the 2024/25 lean season. However, the affected population in urban areas has increased by 27 percent to 81,405 people.
Mbilizi assured that the government has stocked enough maize to help vulnerable households during the current lean season. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma) will soon start distributing maize to households projected to face acute food insecurity. This support is expected to help alleviate food shortages and provide relief to affected households.
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) country representative Ali Said Yesuf called for increased investment in climate-resilient agriculture, irrigation, and modern farming technologies to address recurring food crises. He emphasized the need for Malawi to reduce its dependence on rain-fed agriculture and adopt farming practices that can withstand droughts and floods. Yesuf identified irrigation expansion, efficient water use, drought-resistant crops, and modernized agricultural extension services as critical interventions.
The Fisp programme was launched in Ntchisi on September 24, and requires each beneficiary to contribute K50,000 towards a package comprising two 50-kilogramme bags of fertilizer, subsidized at K20,000 each, and a five-kilogramme packet of certified maize seed costing K10,000. The programme aims to support smallholder farmers and improve agricultural productivity, ultimately contributing to food security and poverty reduction in Malawi.
Key points
- The government has prioritized hard-to-reach areas in its Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) to support farmers affected by climate shocks.
- Malawi is promoting crop diversification to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns and reduce their reliance on traditional crops.
- The government has stocked enough maize to help vulnerable households during the current lean season, and will distribute maize to households projected to face acute food insecurity.
