Update: In ongoing discussions over the national agricultural budget, the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) warned Parliament that it requires K144 billion to survive the 2026/2027 financial year, according to Nyasa Times. Following earlier reports on the state trader's ongoing loan disputes, General Manager Ben Botolo told a parliamentary cluster committee on Friday that Admarc was allocated only K60 billion. This shortfall will force the corporation to borrow an additional K80 billion to meet its targets for purchasing crops and supplying fertiliser.
Lawmakers and agricultural experts cautioned that high borrowing costs and K39.5 billion in legacy debts from CDH Bank continue to cripple the institution's ability to stabilise maize prices and ensure food security. Nation Online reports that the National Association of Farmers in Malawi (Nasfam) is also pushing for budget revisions, urging the government to expand financial support and market access to medium-scale farmers. Additionally, the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) continued to lobby MPs to establish recurrent climate financing to protect farmers following severe drought-related crop losses, Nyasa Times notes.
In other agricultural developments coinciding with International Women's Day, Central Co-op announced that its Our Malawi Partnership has generated over £1 million in product sales to support stable farmer incomes, according to Co-op News. The initiative, delivered alongside the Malawi Federation of Co-operatives, highlighted the success of women macadamia farmers who have adopted intercropping techniques to cultivate maize and groundnuts alongside their primary crops. The programme focuses on supporting female agricultural leaders while providing training on organic fertiliser, governance development, and reforestation to local farming communities.