The Government Mega Farms Unit has launched a targeted skills training programme to address productivity gaps in state-run agricultural projects, according to the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC). Supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the initiative aims to boost maize yields to at least four metric tonnes per hectare. The training targets institutions tasked with producing maize for government reserves, including the Green Belt Authority, Salima Sugar Company, the Malawi Prison Service, and the Malawi Defence Force. Mega Farms Director Henry Msatilomo stated that these institutions have been performing below expectations due to agronomic and technical limitations, prompting the new training efforts.
In the cash crop sector, the Tobacco Commission announced that Malawi generated a record $540 million in 2025. According to Tobacco Reporter, the earnings were driven by a 66 percent increase in export volumes, which reached 221,000 tons. Commission spokesperson Telephorus Chigwenembe noted that this surge in volume helped offset a decline in average market prices, which dropped from $2.98 to $2.45 per kilogram compared to the previous year.
However, the outlook for the current 2026 tobacco marketing season is facing market strain due to a significant supply and demand imbalance. Tobacco Reporter indicates that national production is forecast at 197,000 tons against an estimated global demand of just 170,000 tons. Industry monitors warn that this oversupply is likely to place further downward pressure on prices, threatening revenue stability for farmers and the broader economy.