Agricultural experts are urging the Malawian government to abandon ad hoc export bans on crops such as maize and soybeans, according to Nyasa Times. Speaking at a policy dialogue in Lilongwe organised by the MwAPATA Institute and the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, researchers warned that temporary trade restrictions ultimately backfire. Dr. Innocent Pangapanga Phiri and Dr. Christone Nyondo stated that unpredictable bans discourage farmers from investing in production, which leads to long-term supply shortages and market instability. The experts recommended adopting clear, rule-based trade policies and focusing on boosting productivity through improved seed systems and extension services.
In crop production, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched renewed efforts to restore Malawi's banana industry under the One Country One Priority Product initiative, MBC reports. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Thoko Tembo said the programme will focus on smallholder farmers to rebuild a sector that was severely damaged by disease outbreaks in the 1990s. The initiative is supported by the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme, which is providing agricultural expertise to help farmers improve crop resilience, processing, and market access.
The government is also expanding support for the aquaculture sector to align with the Malawi 2063 development goals. According to MBC, Minister of Natural Resources Patricia Wiskes recently visited the Mdimwa Fish Club in Rumphi District, where she emphasised that increased fish farming is necessary for both household food security and export growth. To assist in this effort, the Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada is providing local fish farmers with fingerlings and resources for integrated agriculture, which includes the rearing of livestock alongside aquaculture operations.