Update: Malawi's agriculture sector is officially projected to grow by 2.8 percent in 2026 and 3.8 percent in 2027 as it recovers from recent climate shocks. According to the 2026 Annual Economic Report by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation, the sector expanded by 1.3 percent in 2025, driven by strong export performances in tobacco, sugar, and tea. Nyasa Times reports that a major development expected during this period is the establishment of a local fertiliser factory to reduce input costs and stabilise supply for farmers. To support this growth, Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha allocated K1.334 trillion to the agriculture, tourism, mining, and manufacturing sectors in the 2026/2027 National Budget.
In Kasungu, the Tiafikile Cooperative has unveiled an expansion strategy focused on irrigation and fruit farming to improve local food security and household incomes. According to Pan African Visions, cooperative chairperson Henry Bauti appealed to Vice President Jane Ansah for government assistance in securing fertiliser, building a storage warehouse, and acquiring transport infrastructure. Bauti noted that these investments are critical for the farmers to efficiently access regional markets and scale up their agricultural output.
Meanwhile, rural farming communities in Salima District are anticipating economic improvements through a new livelihood initiative spearheaded by World Vision Malawi. Residents in Traditional Authority Kalonga expressed optimism that the project, which includes modern farming technologies and climate-smart irrigation setups like the Mchengeleza Irrigation Scheme, will improve their daily farming operations and support their families, according to Agri Malawi.