Update: In a continuation of earlier reports on Malawi's agricultural sector, a new analysis shows the ongoing failure of the national farm input subsidy programme. According to Nyasa Times, despite the government spending over K1 trillion on fertiliser and maize seed subsidies since 2015, average maize yields remain stagnant at 2.1 metric tonnes per hectare. This output falls significantly short of the government's National Adaptation Plan target of four tonnes per hectare.
The findings align with the 2026 Malawi Economic Report by the World Bank, which indicates that the agricultural sector continues to struggle despite taking up a large share of public funds. A separate Ministry of Agriculture assessment covering 2023 to 2025 revealed that farmers produced an average of just 1.5 tonnes per hectare during that period. Although K161.28 billion was allocated to the subsidy initiative in the 2024/25 national budget alone, widespread crop failures linked to climate shocks and poor farming practices have forced the country to rely heavily on maize imports. Consequently, over 5.7 million citizens required emergency food assistance during the recent lean season, prompting agricultural experts to urge the government to redirect funds toward irrigation and research rather than solely financing maize subsidies.