Govt urged to ease fertiliser burden on farmers

As farmers prepare for the 2026/2027 growing season, the rising cost of fertilizer is putting pressure on their ability to access inputs and maximize production.

In some parts of Malawi, a 50kg bag of fertilizer has reached over K200,000, a cost many farmers could struggle to afford amid low crop prices, with a 5kg bag of maize selling at not more than K50,000.

Rumphi Central Member of Parliament Matthews Mtumbuka has asked the government to consider reducing fertiliser prices, saying farmers need affordable inputs to increase production and improve their livelihoods.

Mtumbuka made the remarks at Mjuma in Rumphi during a donation exercise by the Jane Ansah Foundation, where assorted items were handed over to communities in the area.

He said many people in Rumphi depend on tobacco farming, but poor prices recorded during the current marketing season have left some farmers struggling to raise money for fertilizer ahead of the next farming season.

The legislator also encouraged people to join farmer clubs, particularly irrigation clubs, to enable them participate in irrigation farming and reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

He further commended Vice President Dr Jane Ansah for development initiatives her foundation has brought to the people of Mjuma and surrounding areas.

Speaking during the same event, Ansah expressed satisfaction with the progress made by Lunyina and Chipofya cooperatives, which have 1,000 hectares of land under irrigation.

Ansah donated maize seeds, fertilizer and sewing machines to the two cooperatives to support agricultural production and income-generating activities.