Agriculture experts have advised Malawi’s farmers to consult specialists within their localities before planting crops following the onset of the 2025/26 rainy season.
Some farmers in some districts have started planting, but the experts warn that they should be cautious to avoid losing seeds, forcing them to replant.
The experts, Leonard Chimwaza and Horace Phiri, said in separate interviews yesterday that rainfall patterns differ depending on areas as some districts receive rainfall earlier than others.
According to Chimwaza, farmers should also ensure that the moisture level in the soil is above 30 centimetres deep before planting their crops.
He also said under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp), government should start giving NPK fertiliser, which is needed during planting time.
“Government should prioritise areas that receive rains early such as Mchinji, Chitipa and Shire Highlands,” said Chimwaza, who is an expert in agriculture extension and rural sociology.
On his part, Phiri—who holds a doctorate degree in agriculture and resource economics—said distribution of inputs is within time, but districts that receive rains early should be porioritised.
Phiri, who is also a lecturer at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, said: “We are not very late. Those that plant early should be targeted as soon as possible.”
The experts have also advised farmers to follow Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services updates on rainfall forecast.
In September this year, the department announced that the 2025/26 season could be wetter than the previous season, with a high chance of normal to above normal rainfall amounts over most parts of the country.
Ministry of Agriculture spokesperson Arnold Namanja said yesterday the ministry started distributing Fisp inputs to districts that receive rains early.
