By Burnett Munthali
Many Malawians are now asking, “Kodi munali kuti nthawi yonseyi?” following President Lazarus Chakwera’s recent announcement on new fertilizer prices.
At a recent public engagement in Dowa, President Chakwera emphasized that the revised prices would make fertilizer more affordable for smallholder farmers, aiming to boost crop productivity across the country.
However, a growing number of citizens remain skeptical, interpreting the announcement as a pre-election maneuver ahead of the September 16 polls.
In his 2020 campaign, Chakwera had pledged that a bag of fertilizer would be available for K4,000, promising accessible agricultural inputs for all farmers.
Today, fertilizer prices have soared to nearly K200,000 per bag, a drastic divergence from the initial commitment.
This stark contrast has fueled doubts among the electorate about the government’s consistency and the credibility of its promises.
Farmers and civil society groups are voicing concerns that such price fluctuations threaten food security and undermine confidence in public policy.
As the elections approach, voters are left questioning whether the government’s latest pledge represents genuine reform or a tactical appeal to secure votes.
The situation underscores a broader need for transparency, accountability, and timely implementation of government commitments, especially those affecting critical sectors like agriculture.
Only through measurable actions and adherence to past promises can political leaders restore public trust and demonstrate that policies are designed to genuinely benefit citizens.
