The Malawi Mega Farms Unit has launched targeted skills training for government-run agricultural projects to address existing productivity gaps, according to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation. The initiative focuses on improving crop production, livestock management, irrigation, mechanisation, and agribusiness practices. Henry Msatilomo, Director of Mega Farms in the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that institutions tasked with maize production for government reserves have been performing below expectations. The training aims to equip these institutions with improved farming techniques to better manage transport limitations and unpredictable rainfall, ultimately supporting national food security.
In a related push for food stability, the Ministry of Agriculture is urging farmers to diversify away from an over-reliance on maize, Nyasa Times reports. Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Global Hunger Index in Lilongwe, Principal Secretary for Administration Bennett Nkasala highlighted the need for large-scale irrigation, faster-maturing seed varieties, and climate-smart agriculture. While Malawi's overall hunger index score has improved, the report indicates that 33.2 percent of Malawian children under five remain stunted and 21.4 percent of the population is undernourished, making crop diversification essential against climate shocks.
Meanwhile, rising energy costs are posing a direct threat to the agriculture sector. According to Nyasa Times, Malawi now records the second-highest fuel prices globally, with petrol reaching $3.84 per litre following an April price adjustment by the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority. Transport operators and business leaders warn that the surge in diesel prices will heavily impact agricultural production costs, particularly affecting irrigation systems, mechanised farming, and the transportation of farm produce.
A newly released national livestock census indicates uneven growth within the animal farming sector, according to EIN Presswire and Times Group Malawi. The data shows that half of Malawi's agricultural households kept livestock during the 2023-2024 farming season. However, the census highlights that access to veterinary services remains critically low across most animal categories, limiting the overall development of the sector.