Mbilizi calls for agricultural produce value addition as 2026 tobacco market season opens

* 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

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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Government releases minimum prices for farm produce with maize at K900/kg

* 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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Most river water levels increasing across the country which might result in riverine flooding—Department of Water Resources

Kamuzu Barrage at Liwonde has been opened to prevent Lake Malawi from swelling further * In the Shire River, water levels are slightly rising but have not yet reached a level where flooding can occur * As National Water Resources Authority announces that water level in Lake Malawi has risen at its highest point in years * The lake stands at 476.01 meters above sea level, which is 0.46 meters higher than last year, same period By Duncan Mlanjira…

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Agriculture census report key to boosting farm production

* 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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Persistent downpours expected to continue affecting most parts of the country

* Could trigger localised flash floods, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone communities where soils are already saturated from previous rains * Districts classified under elevated flood risk (Category 6) include Nkhotakota, Salima, Blantyre, Thyolo, Chiradzulu and Mulanje By Khumbo Msambala Salanje, MANA The Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Services (DCCMS) has issued a heavy rainfall warning urging the public to remain alert as the persistent downpours are expected to continue affecting most parts of Malawi. In a statement,…

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Malawians should expect better and improved delivery of affordable fertilizer programme in 2026/2027 agriculture season

  * 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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Tropical storm Gezani on Indian Ocean not impacting on Malawi weather as it is considerably far east of Madagascar

* The system is forecasted to continue moving westwards and is expected to make landfall over Madagascar around Tuesday afternoon (February 10) By Duncan Mlanjira The Department of Climate Change & Meteorological Services (DCCMS) assures the public that the Tropical storm named Gezani that is located on the Indian Ocean is not impacting on Malawi weather as it is considerably far east of Madagascar. The DCCMS reported on Saturday that a tropical depression was developing far east of Madagascar…

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PressCane Limited in final stages of commissioning fertilizer manufacturing plant in Chikwawa

PressCane’s ethanol plant in Chikwawa * To turn sludge waste in its evaporation dam into compost manure as it is in the process of being decommissioned * The 26 hectares of land of the evaporation ponds on will be progressively rehabilitated and partially repurposed for tree planting, including selected fruit trees that surrounding communities will directly benefit from By Duncan Mlanjira PressCane Limited, a subsidiary of the country’s conglomerate company, Press Corporation, is in the final stages of commissioning…

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46,000 people to benefit from clean potable water to communities sorrounding Shire Valley Transformation Programme

* By October this year some farmers will start receiving water for irrigation as temporary intake construction is at about 66% complete and is expected to be operational by April * Substantial progress has been made on the main canal from intake with about 70% of construction works completed as permanent intake is expected to be completed in 2027 By Pempho Nkhoma, MANA As part of the Shire Valley Transformation Programme (SVTP), about 46,000 people from the sorrounding communities…

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