The Mega Farmers Union is threatening to sue the Malawi Government for K400 billion over defamation claims, according to Nation Online. The dispute follows the recent publication of a list by Minister of Agriculture Roza Mbilizi, which named initiative beneficiaries who allegedly defaulted on loans from the Malawi Agriculture and Industrial Investment Corporation (Maiic). Union chairperson Vasco Madhlopa stated that the union's 800 members are claiming K500 million each and demanding a public apology in Parliament. The farmers have warned they may boycott maize production across 150,000 hectares if their demands are not met.
Madhlopa further clarified that the farmers' financial obligations are to Maiic, not the government, and argued that the publication of the list has damaged their business reputations, Nation Online reports. The farmers also expressed frustration over market access, noting that when they attempted to deliver maize to the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) last year, only 3,000 metric tonnes were purchased out of an expected 150,000 metric tonnes. Most of the combined K60 billion allocated to the NFRA and the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) was instead directed toward purchasing maize from smallholder farmers.
In other agricultural developments, economic experts are warning that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could soon trigger a surge in domestic fertiliser and food prices. According to Nyasa Times, economist Abel Mwenibanda highlighted that Malawi imports significant quantities of fertiliser from Middle Eastern producers. Disruptions to manufacturing and shipping routes could lead to supply shortages and higher costs for farmers, which would subsequently drive up local food prices. Experts are urging the government to consider revising the recently presented national budget to allocate additional resources for the bulk purchasing of fertiliser and fuel before international prices escalate further.