President Peter Mutharika has conceded that his administration is grappling with multiple economic challenges and that the situation has reached a critical stage demanding both urgent and long-term interventions.
Speaking during a meeting with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre yesterday, the President reiterated that “the four Fs” covering food, fertiliser, forex and fuel are the most pressing concerns requiring urgent short-term solutions in the country.
He said the areas have been severely affected by external shocks and local constraints, impacting livelihoods and economic stability.
“This country is facing serious challenges. I knew there were challenges looking from outside, but when we went inside and saw the books we said we really do have real real challenges. Things have gone bad as they can be. There is no way they can get worse than they are now,” said Mutharika.
He said his administration is working hard to address the four key areas that need urgent short-term solutions.
Mutharika said currently there is no adequate fertiliser in the country and his government is putting in place emergency measures to stabilise the situation, particularly as the farming growing season approaches.
“This is almost the rainy season because rains may start anytime, and farmers will need fertiliser. But we are working very hard to address the urgent needs,” he said.
Fertiliser Association of Malawi last week said its members had 267 190 metric tonnes (MT) in stock, an improvement on 192 794MT recorded in August, but still below the annual requirement of 475 000MT.
The association said 26 962MT is in warehouses, 158 628MT in transit and 81 600MT on the high seas en route to Malawi.
Malawi requires 475 000MT of fertiliser annually for the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) and other farmers.
The meeting marked the end of Swinney’s first official visit to Malawi and his inaugural engagement with the Malawian leader.
In an interview after the meeting, Swinney said his visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between Malawi and Scotland and expressed his country’s commitment to continue supporting Malawi.
The relationship between the Scots and Malawians began in 1859, with the warm welcome extended to David Livingstone and his companions when he entered Malawi formerly Nyasaland for the first time.
