Malawi farmers fear hunger over fertiliser delays
Thousands of growers have not received subsidised inputs, threatening the next harvest as planting rains approach.
Thousands of Malawian farmers face potential hunger as delays in receiving subsidised fertiliser threaten the upcoming harvest. The Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) has been criticised for failing to deliver vital inputs before the planting rains begin.
Joseph Mwasiya, chairperson of the Nzeru N’chuma Farmers Club in Lunia Village, Blantyre, reported that many farmers have not received their Fisp fertiliser or training on alternative blended fertilisers like Mbeya. This is critical as basal fertiliser should be applied at planting, with rains expected in the Southern Region soon.
Agriculture Minister Roza Mbilizi stated on Friday that the Fisp distribution is on track, with efforts prioritised for hard-to-reach areas and regions with early rainfall, citing 70 percent implementation in Chitipa. The programme, worth K140 billion, aims to benefit 1.2 million farming households.
Why it mattersMalawian farmers face hunger if they cannot plant their crops due to delayed fertiliser subsidies.