Malawi's agriculture sector is showing signs of recovery and is projected to grow by 2.8 percent in 2026, according to the latest Annual Economic Report highlighted by Nyasa Times. The Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation noted that the sector grew by 1.3 percent last year, driven by strong export performances in tobacco, sugar, and tea. This growth occurred even with the rising prices of farming inputs and delayed rains during the previous growing season.
To help sustain this recovery and lower production costs, the government expects the establishment of a new local fertiliser factory. Nyasa Times reports that the facility is intended to improve domestic supply and bring down fertiliser prices for farmers. Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha has aligned with these efforts by allocating K1.334 trillion in the 2026/2027 National Budget to the combined Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, and Manufacturing sectors.
In related agricultural news, the Tobacco Commission has launched a forestry initiative to plant 10,000 trees across Kasungu, Ntchisi, and Mzimba South, according to Zodiak Malawi. The planting exercise, conducted alongside tobacco buyers and local growers, specifically targets areas around the Mpasadzi River. Local authorities are enforcing protection measures for the project. Senior Chief Chisinga announced that anyone caught grazing animals on the newly planted land will face a penalty of one goat to ensure the seedlings survive.