Government pledges smooth and timely distribution under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme, targeting 1.1 million beneficiaries with affordable fertiliser prices.
By Burnett Munthali
Minister of Agriculture Roza Fatch Mbilizi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring a successful implementation of the 2025/2026 Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (FISP), assuring Malawians that there will be no disruptions in the distribution of fertiliser this year.
Mbilizi made the remarks through a Facebook post following an inspection visit to the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) depot in Chirimba, Blantyre, where she assessed the fertiliser stocks procured for the upcoming farming season.
She revealed that the FISP programme is expected to be officially launched during the second week of November 2025, marking the beginning of one of Malawi’s most critical agricultural support initiatives.
During her visit, Mbilizi was briefed that the Blantyre depot currently holds 5,200 metric tonnes of NPK and 3,000 metric tonnes of Urea, with total fertiliser stocks projected to reach 110,000 metric tonnes by the end of November once all consignments are delivered.
Nationwide, the minister reported that SFFRFM has already secured 53,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser across its various depots, with trucks continuously arriving daily to boost supplies ahead of the distribution period.
Mbilizi assured farmers and the general public that the government remains steadfast in guaranteeing adequate fertiliser availability throughout the programme’s duration.
She emphasised that her ministry is working tirelessly to accelerate delivery processes to ensure that all targeted beneficiaries receive their inputs on time, avoiding the delays that have in the past disrupted agricultural productivity.
The minister also reiterated the administration’s commitment to equity and transparency in the distribution process, stressing that all eligible beneficiaries will have access to fertiliser without interference or political bias.
Mbilizi further highlighted that under President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika’s directive, a total of 1.1 million farmers are expected to benefit from the programme, each receiving two bags of fertiliser at a subsidised price of K10,000 per bag.
She assured the public that government mechanisms are already in place to monitor stock movements and prevent any potential cases of corruption, diversion, or misuse of fertiliser during the implementation phase.
According to the minister, the FISP remains one of the cornerstones of Malawi’s agricultural transformation agenda, aimed at improving food security, empowering rural households, and stimulating economic growth through enhanced crop production.
Her visit to the Chirimba depot reflects the government’s proactive approach in ensuring logistical readiness and transparency ahead of the national rollout of fertiliser distribution.
As preparations intensify, Mbilizi’s assurance offers a sense of optimism among smallholder farmers who rely heavily on subsidised inputs to sustain livelihoods and contribute to Malawi’s overall food self-sufficiency.
With steady fertiliser supplies, increased monitoring, and a renewed political commitment, the 2025/2026 farming season could mark a turning point in restoring confidence in Malawi’s agricultural subsidy programmes and rebuilding trust between farmers and government institutions.
