According to Nyasa Times, Minister of Agriculture Roza Fatch Mbilizi launched the second phase of Malawi's Agricultural Mechanisation Initiative on Thursday. Supported by Philip Morris International and Pyxus Agriculture Limited, the programme is designed to shift the country from manual to modern farming. The new phase expands the initiative's fleet from 23 to 40 tractors, targeting the cultivation of an additional 2,500 hectares of land for crops including maize, tobacco, and groundnuts, while directly benefiting 600 local farmers.
In food security developments, Zimbabwe has delivered a third consignment of humanitarian maize to Lilongwe, handing over 330 metric tonnes to assist flood-affected communities, Voice of Nigeria reports. Minister of Foreign Affairs George Chaponda received the donation, which brings Zimbabwe's total phased contribution to 1,000 tonnes. The Department of Disaster Management Affairs will coordinate distribution to households struggling with poor harvests and recent weather shocks.
In a separate development, the non-profit organisation Tiyeni has partnered with Aftrak to introduce solar-powered micro electric tractors to rural Malawian farmers, according to GBC Ghana Online. The tractors are built to support deep bed farming by piercing compacted soil surfaces, which improves water absorption and crop yields while reducing the intense manual labour typically required for the technique.
Update: Following the passage of the K10.9 trillion 2026/2027 national budget, Ecofin Agency reports that the agriculture sector secured the largest single allocation at K971.3 billion. The funding is specifically earmarked to boost local food production and replenish strategic grain reserves as the government works to address widespread maize shortages.