Staff ReporterMinistry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has received commendation from agriculture policy analyst Tamani Nkhono Mvula for timely launch of the 2026/27 Farm Inputs Subsdiy Programme (Fisp).
In an interview after Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Roza Mbilizi on Thursday launched Fisp in Ntchisi, he described the timing as an improvement from previous programmes rolled out in October.
Nkhono-Mvula said the early launch should give government enough time to complete preparations and ensure farmers access inputs in time to plan and plant.
“I also believe that this is not just a political launch of the programme, but that there is a proper road map in place to move away from the challenges that we have been facing in the past,” he said.
In the face of El Nino set to bring above normal rainfall in northern parts of the country and prolonged droughts in the southern areas, Nkhono-Mvula said it will be important for farmers to diversify crops to cushion themselves against the impact, particularly on maize production.
He said farmers who opt for maize should plant with the early rains and use early-maturing varieties, while government should promote drought-resistant crops such as sorghum.
Said Nkhono-Mvula: “The biggest problem that we may be having with El Niño is the maize crop. If farmers diversify, maybe using fertiliser in crops like sorghum and other drought-resistant crops, I think it will go a long way to make sure that the country is food secure.”
He also cautioned that the benefits of Mbeya fertiliser may not be fully realised during the first season, as its nutrient content, particularly nitrogen, is lower than that of inorganic fertiliser.
During the launch, Mbilizi said the programme has secured 70 000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser and will benefit 1 221 862 resource-constrained smallholder maize farming households.
She also said government has already identified transporters to distribute the inputs and will expedite the process in districts that receive rains early.
By breakdown, each beneficiary will contribute K20 000 for a 50 kilogramme (kg) bag of fertiliser and K10 000 for a 5kg pack of maize seed.
Under the revised Fisp as unveiled in July this year, 610 931 smallholder farmers are expected to directly receive subsidised inorganic fertiliser and certified seed while 1 221 862 are to be indirectly reached through integration of Mbeya organic fertiliser production.
In an interview on Thursday, Mwapata Institute executive director William Chadza described the integration of organic and inorganic fertiliser as a progressive step that could improve soil health and maize yields.
He said prolonged use of inorganic fertiliser contributed to declining soil health, which affected the response of maize to fertiliser.
The 2026/27 Fisp was allocated K111 billion in the K10.9 trillion national budget. Last year’s programme cost K241 billion and targeted 1.1 million beneficiaries, with each farmer receiving two bags of fertiliser.
In the past six years, government has cumulatively spent K913 billion on agricultural subsidies while also spending K873 billion on emergency food assistance as millions continued to face food insecurity.
