The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) has stepped up multiplication of a medium-maturity maize variety to help farmers counter the impact of El Niño and achieve food security.
The variety, named ZM 523, is being multiplied on 150 hectares in Dwangwa, Nkhotakota with financial and technical support from the Malawi Government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. Luanar is implementing the project in partnership with Illovo Sugar (Malawi) plc at the company’s mega farm.
Speaking during a visit to the farm on Wednesday, Luanar Holdings Company Limited Dwangwa Farm manager Naomi Kolala said ZM 523 has the potential to perform well under harsh weather conditions while maintaining productivity.
“We are much sure that even in very hard conditions, this seed will survive and will do better,” she said.
The maize was planted under heavy mechanisation to minimise the risk of cross-pollination with each hectare expected to produce at least four tonnes.
Kolala said the variety, which originates from Zambia, was considered suitable for the prevailing conditions.
Luanar Holdings Company Limited general manager Sam Mwenifumbo said the company oversaw the operational aspects of the project, from budgeting and land preparation to crop production.
He said Luanar had remained involved throughout the production cycle, from land preparation to the current stage of the project.
Luanar Mega Teaching Farm coordinator Lameck Fiwa commended government for supporting the initiative, saying the university was ready to contribute to efforts to address the country’s food security challenges.
The project is running at an estimated cost of K1.1 billion with the maize seed expected to be sold under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme for the 2026/27 farming season.
In its seasonal outlook, the Department of Climate Change and Metorological Services projected that most areas in the Southern and Central regions are likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the October-December period, while much of the Northern Region and parts of the Central Region will receive normal to above-normal rainfall.
Agriculture experts have urged farmers to make the most of the first effective rains, use drought-tolerant and early-maturing seed varieties and consider irrigation as a buffer against possible early termination of the rains.
Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi is on record as having said that Malawi needs K488.5 billion to prepare for the El Niño-induced dry spell during the 2026/27 season. The preliminary preparedness plan covers 14 priority clusters, including agriculture, food security, nutrition, health, water and sanitation, energy, protection and logistics.
