Category: Agriculture

* Currently supporting 428 agricultural cooperatives and 33 small & medium enterprises (SMEs) — rekindling hope in Malawian farmers * The programme supports primary production of farm commodities, aggregation and marketing on local and export markets of farm produce * Including processing and value addition through farmer producer organisations and SMEs Analysis by Denis Mzembe, contributor For most smallholder farmers in Malawi inadequate training and modern faming skills have been for a long time been some of the factors…

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* As Shire Valley Transformation Programme’s project coordinator assures that farmers will begin using water from the canal in October through the temporary main water intake being completed * Construction of the permanent water intake is expected to be completed by 2031, which delayed due to the redesign of the initial main intake, which was destroyed by Cyclone Ana-induced floods in 2021 Maravi Express After touring the Shire Valley Transformation Programme in Chikwawa District to assess progress of the…

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* Tobacco continues to play a central role in the country’s socio-economic development, with farmers remaining the backbone of the industry * Despite efforts to diversify the economy, tobacco still contributes significantly to Malawi’s foreign exchange reserves * As Tobacco Commission advises growers to advance their crop grading to attract good prices that will help them defray this year’s high cost of production * Improved grading will also help Malawi outcompete other tobacco growing countries, making the country’s tobacco…

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5th edition of DCCMS Zanyengo e-Newsletter highlights how Malawi’s early warning agenda is advancing through stronger science * Along with stronger partnerships, and a clear commitment to turning observations into action * The publication can be accessed through https://www.metmalawi.gov.mw/publications/the-zanyengo-e-newsletter-5th-edition/ By Duncan Mlanjira Malawi’s early warning agenda is advancing through stronger science, stronger partnerships, and a clear commitment to turning observations into action, reports the  Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services (DCCMS) in its 5th-edition-of-the-Zanyengo-e-Newsletter. Launched last year, the…

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* All agro-dealers, agro-processors and others who deal with crop commodities are requested to buy the produce at prices not less than those stipulated By Duncan Mlanjira The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Water Development has issued a statement declaring minimum gate prices for strategic crops that are being harvested from the 2025/26 farming season, with the staple maize at K900/kg. Rice-paddy is at K1,500/kg; shelled groundnuts at K3,500/kg; unshelled groundnuts (K2,000/kg); pure beans (K3,400/kg); white Harricot beans (K3,000/kg);…

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* Contains critical data that can guide decision-making and help stakeholders address challenges affecting agricultural productivity in the country * Irrigation farming accounts for only 2.2% of the total land used during the agricultural season — with the Southern Region accounting for 1.2% * Followed by the Central Region with 0.8% and the Northern Region with 0.3% while the watering can remain the most common irrigation method, accounting for about 68% By Prisca Promise Mashushu, MANA Minister of Agriculture,…

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  * As President Mutharika announces that Government is facilitating the commencement of fertilizer production right in the country * Also to construct 2-storey market buildings in cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu in the 2026/27 financial year By Duncan Mlanjira In the quest to provide affordable and sustainable solution for fertilizer, the government is facilitating the commencement of the production of this all-important farm input production right in the country. The pledge was made by President Arthur Peter…

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