President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday evening announced new fertilizer prices aimed at easing the burden on farmers and safeguarding national food security, while accusing unscrupulous vendors and political actors of exploiting farmers through inflated prices.
Delivering a State of the Nation Address from Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, Chakwera said his administration had managed to secure fertilizer supplies that will see smallholder farmers under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) buying fertilizer at K15,000 per bag, while commercial farmers cultivating a minimum of one hectare will buy theirs at K90,000 per bag.
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This, according to Chakwera, is in stark contrast to market prices that have soared as high as K160,000 per bag, a situation he described as unacceptable.
“Some people have been selling fertilizer at painful prices to exploit Malawians. Investigations show that others even colluded with a certain opposition party which is not happy with the AIP to sabotage my programme of selling affordable fertilizer, with the aim of discrediting my leadership,” said Chakwera.
Chakwera emphasized that his government would not relent in making farming inputs affordable, stressing that Malawi’s economic backbone rests on agriculture.
He warned those benefiting from high fertilizer prices that their schemes would not succeed.
“Let me assure all Malawians that no matter the resistance, we will continue to roll out fertilizer at fair prices. I will not stop fighting for farmers,” he said.
Chakwera confirmed that AIP fertilizer distribution will begin nationwide on October 1, ensuring that smallholder farmers are ready for the December rains.
He added that commercial farming fertilizer has already been stocked at designated depots across the country and sales would commence immediately.
The President further pledged to sustain both fertilizer programmes until 2030, arguing that any meaningful agricultural growth requires consistent support to farmers.
“Agriculture is the foundation of our economy, and empowering farmers with affordable inputs is the only way to secure Malawi’s development,” Chakwera said, appealing to citizens to resist those he claimed “do not wish the country well.”
Despite the President’s pledge to sustain the AIP until 2030 and ensure fair access to fertilizer, Malawians remain wary.
Government had earlier promised a K4,500 price per 50kg bag under the AIP, but fertilizer prices have continued to soar in local markets, fueling concerns about affordability and accessibility for smallholder farmers.
