Mutharika reintroduces FISP, declares food security top priority

President Arthur Peter Mutharika has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that no Malawian dies of hunger, announcing sweeping interventions in the agriculture sector, including the reintroduction of the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) and the procurement of 200,000 metric tons of maize for free distribution to food-insecure households.

The President made the announcement on Thursday during the official opening of the 52nd Session of Parliament and the 2025/2026 Mid-Year Budget Review Meeting held in Lilongwe.

“My vision on food security remains that no Malawian dies of hunger. However, we are in a food crisis. Over four million Malawians are in need of food assistance,” said Mutharika, noting that the situation prompted him to declare a state of disaster in 11 districts on October 25, 2025.

To respond to the crisis, the government has already procured 200,000 metric tons of maize from Zambia, which will be distributed freely to affected citizens.

The President also disclosed that additional maize will be released to ADMARC depots across the country to stabilize market supply and prices.

In what marks a major policy reversal, Mutharika announced that his government will reintroduce the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) in the 2025/2026 farming season, aiming to improve food production and household resilience.

The programme, set to be launched in the second week of November 2025, will benefit 1.1 million farming households, each receiving two 50kg bags of fertilizer and a 5kg seed pack of their choice.

Beneficiaries will contribute only K10,000 per bag of fertilizer, a fraction of the market price.

“This programme will ensure that every deserving farmer accesses affordable inputs. We are bringing back a proven system that once guaranteed national food security,” he said.

Mutharika also issued a stern warning against the sale of counterfeit fertilizer, describing the practice as “inhuman and criminal.”

He directed the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) and the Malawi Police Service to intensify surveillance and bring perpetrators to justice.

“Let me issue a strong warning against selling fake fertilizer. This malpractice is very wrong and inhuman. I have directed authorities to be vigilant and end this criminal act,” he stressed.

To reduce dependency on imports, the President revealed that government plans to establish a local fertilizer manufacturing plant.

A feasibility study has already been completed, signaling that implementation could soon begin.

“Our long-term plan is to facilitate the establishment of a fertilizer manufacturing plant in the country to ensure availability of affordable fertilizer,” he said.

The President also touched on tobacco market challenges, noting that a lot of unsold tobacco remains in central and northern regions due to policy mismanagement.

He directed the Ministers of Finance and Agriculture to urgently engage buyers to ensure that all tobacco is sold to support farmers’ livelihoods.