National Food Reserve Agency raises maize buying prices to support farmers and strengthen food security

* Now to be buying maize at K1,280 per kilogram in open and mobile markets, while mega farmers will receive K1,300 per kilogram, up from the previous K1,100 * This decision reflects our commitment to reward farmers fairly, encourage them to sell their maize, and ensure sustainable food supply for all Malawians By Arthur Kaludzu, MANA The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has announced an upward adjustment of maize buying prices in a move aimed at supporting farmers, curbing…

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ADMARC to import 200,000 tons of maize to stabilise supply during lean period

* Recent increases in maize prices had placed a heavy burden on families, particularly in rural and low-income urban areas * By importing maize, ADMARC aims to stabilise prices and ensure that every Malawian can afford this vital food item at a fair and reasonable price By Sheminah Nkhoma, MANA Agricultural Development & Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) has announced plans to import 200,000 metric tons of maize to maintain steady supply during the lean season and ease pressure on households….

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Chakwera pledges to continue revamping railway transport system

* We want to make the railway fully operational so that it offers an affordable transport option for goods  * I have already discussed with my counterpart in Zambia at Mkaika that the Nacala Corridor must be functional  By Vincent Khonje & Robert Nayeja, MANA & Duncan Mlanjira, Maravi Express On his campaign trail in Mchinji yesterday, President Lazarus Chakwera pledged to continue revamping Malawi railway transport system to provide cheaper and more efficient means of moving goods and…

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SFFRFM promoting innovative and affordable fertilizers

* We are bringing in innovative fertilizers that will help farmers commercialise — products that are cheaper, that restore soil fertility and that will help farmers get better harvests from their farming * The company has capsule fertilizers that will be available in its shops across the country and costs only K44,000 per capsule, which is for one hectare, among other products of fertilizers * As ADMARC introduces grain-drying machines to reduce post-harvest losses and help farmers secure better…

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Inflation declines for the fourth consecutive month—RBM Deputy Governor Kisu Simwaka

* It continues to descend slowly, reaching 27.1% in June 2025 — supported by softening food prices * Food inflation — “which accounts for more than half of the country’s inflation basket — dropped to 31.6% from 44.9% in January 2024 * Non-food inflation edged down to 20.1%, from 22% in January 2024 — but while inflation has been decelerating in recent months, it remains high By Duncan Mlanjira Ahead of the official launch of the Reserve Bank of…

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Bakhresa cooking oil factory challenges Malawian commercial farmers to increase soya beans production

* To meet the demand of the oil refinery factory in Limbe, which has been commissioned by President Chakwera yesterday * It will be crushing 500 tonnes of soya beans per day, which means that local soya farmers will have a readily available market * The plant will require about 150,000 tonnes of soya every harvesting season to support the whole value chain By Memory Kutengule-Chatonda, MANA Bakhresa Malawi Limited General Manager, Venkatesh Rao Pattipati, has challenged commercial farmers…

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IAEA official urges Malawi to embrace nuclear technology for MW2063 national vision

* Nuclear science can be applied in agriculture, particularly in livestock production, where it helps detect pests and diseases that frequently affect animals * It can also be used in developing crop varieties that are more resistant to climate change, thereby improving food security By Kenneth Zindondo, MANA Austria-based programme management officer for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Dr. Felix Omonya says nuclear science holds vast potential to contribute to Malawi’s long-term development goals in line with MW2063…

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Standard Bank’s Growth Conversations round-table dialogue stakeholders call for speedy action on Malawi’s ailing economy

Chief Executive Madinga (left) moderates the panel discussion as Ministers Agriculture and Tourism Kawale and Kamtukule and Deputy RBM Governor Kissu Simwaka follow * Held recently in Lilongwe under the theme; ‘Towards Economic Recovery and Growth by Bringing the ATMM Strategy to Life’ * Delegates acknowledged the urgency of fast-tracking several economic reforms to catch up with development targets * The forum explored how the ATMM strategy could be applied to address perennial macroeconomic challenges By Duncan Mlanjira Key…

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World Meteorological Organisation supporting Artificial Intelligence (AI) forecasting pilot project in Africa through Malawi

* Developing AI has potential as a game-changer for weather forecasts and early warnings—World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General, Celeste Saulo * Especially if we can leverage AI technology to help countries without sophisticated super-computers to leap-frog to the latest most advanced prediction systems * The project combines Norway’s AI expertise with Malawi’s local knowledge and data — building on a high-resolution data-driven weather forecasting model named BRIS By Duncan Mlanjira A new pilot project by the World Meteorological Organisation…

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‘No tobacco farmer would be motivated under a current declining price trend environment’—DCG Chief Economist Chifipa Mhango

* According to RBM data that the end of April 2025, 20.2 million kgs of tobacco were sold at an average price of US$2.30 per kg — thus earning US$46.5 million as a country * This is a decline as last year, during the same period, average price of tobacco was US$2.66 per kg. We earned US$45.2 million from a lower sale of 17 million kgs * If this situation is not addressed, soon Malawi will even lose its…

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