The MwAPATA Policy Institute has called for immediate national action to restore Malawi’s degraded soils, warning that continued nutrient depletion and erosion pose a serious threat to food security and agricultural productivity.
The call was made during a stakeholder workshop held in Lilongwe on Monday, where government officials, development partners, civil society organisations and private sector representatives met to refine implementation tools for the Malawi Action Plan on Fertilizer and Soil Health (MAP-FSH) 2024–2034.
MwAPATA Chairperson Richard Mkandawire said Malawi’s soils have been severely depleted after years of nutrient mining, deforestation and erosion, and urged decisive action.
“Malawi cannot afford to sit back while soil degradation continues to undermine productivity. Our soils are among the most depleted in the region due to sustained nutrient loss and unchecked erosion. Restoring soil health must be treated as a national priority that demands urgent financing and coordinated implementation,” said Mkandawire.
Mkandawire also highlighted opportunities in organic fertilizer production, describing it as a growing sector that could support youth- and women-led enterprises if properly regulated and certified.
He said increased investment in organic fertilizers would not only improve soil structure and fertility but also stimulate local enterprise development.
Mkandawire noted that several small producers are already active in the sector but lack organisation and certification. He said targeted support could unlock the sector’s potential while reducing reliance on inorganic fertilizers.
“There is a clear business case in restoring soil health. Organic fertilizer production offers opportunities for young entrepreneurs and women while contributing directly to soil regeneration. If properly supported, this sector can drive both environmental sustainability and economic growth,” Mkandawire said.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the government is committed to ensuring the action plan moves beyond policy to implementation.
Gertrude Kapalamula, director of land resources conservation, said land degradation remains a key driver of low yields despite continued investment in agriculture.
“The instruments being refined here will help us address soil erosion and fertility challenges in a coordinated way. This is not a task for government alone but for all stakeholders,” she said.
Kapalamula said the action plan provides clear interventions to tackle soil erosion, improve soil fertility and restore degraded land.
She noted that implementation will also require institutional alignment and, in some cases, policy adjustments to ensure effective delivery. Kapalamula said sustained collaboration will be critical to achieving measurable results.
Kapalamula said restoring soil health is essential to safeguarding long-term agricultural productivity stressing that the ministry will continue engaging stakeholders as the plan moves toward full implementation.
“Land degradation affects yields, incomes and resilience to climate shocks. Through this action plan, we are putting in place practical measures to reverse these trends. With strong coordination and shared responsibility, we can begin to see tangible improvements on the ground,” Kapalamula said.
During the workshop, participants reviewed and validated the plan’s implementation roadmap, financing and investment framework, and proposed coordination and governance structures, which are expected to guide soil restoration efforts over the next decade.
The workshop was organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture through the Department of Land Resources Conservation, with support from development partners including the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa, Sustain Africa and AUDA-NEPAD.
Organisers said outcomes from the meeting will inform the finalisation of implementation tools for the 10-year action plan, strengthening coordination and resource mobilisation as Malawi prepares to roll out nationwide interventions aimed at restoring soil health and improving agricultural productivity.