Experts call for quick Fisp distribution

Agriculture experts have urged authorities to speed up distribution of Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) packages, warning that delays could leave farmers with little time to prepare Mbeya fertiliser for the 2026/27 season.

The Nation has established that district councils have received coupons, but most are yet to distribute them to farmers—meaning that redemption of inputs is yet to start.

Fisp beneficiaries collecting fetilisers

Under the programme, beneficiaries are expected to pay K10 000 to redeem a five-kilogramme (kg) packet of certified maize seed and two 50kg bags of fertiliser at a subsidised price of K20 000 each.

The inputs are used as ingredients to produce Mbeya basal and top-dressing fertiliser.

Centre for Agricultural Research and Development director at Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Innocent Pangapanga, said Mbeya fertiliser takes about 21 days to ferment before it is ready for application.

He said farmers should access Fisp fertiliser by mid-November to allow adequate time to prepare the organic fertiliser.

“Unlike inorganic fertiliser, whose nutrients become available to crops within a short period, Mbeya fertiliser requires time to decompose and ferment before its nutrients can be taken up by maize plants,” said Pangapanga.

He said extension workers must ensure farmers have all materials needed to prepare Mbeya fertiliser, warning that further delays could compromise preparations for the farming season.

Agriculture extension expert Leonard Chimwaza said timely access to inputs is critical and the recruitment of temporary clerks to support Fisp should have been completed before the programme was launched in September.

He warned that fuel shortages and poor road conditions during the rainy season could complicate transportation and distribution of inputs.

A beneficiary, Fanny Dickson from Mulanje, said farmers in her area have received coupons and are awaiting inputs.

She expressed hope that the inputs would arrive in time for planting.

Ministry of Agriculture Fisp coordinator Sheilla Kang’ombe referred The Nation to ministry spokesperson Salome Gangire, who asked for more time to respond.

The concerns come against the backdrop of the 2026/27 seasonal rainfall outlook, which indicates a high likelihood of below to normal rainfall over most parts of southern and central Malawi, while normal to above-normal rainfall is expected over much of the North.

Rainfall is expected to be significantly delayed in the South and slightly delayed in the Centre, while near-normal rainfall is expected in the North. Established rainfall is generally expected from mid-December.

Under this year’s Fisp, which was launched in September, 610 931 smallholder farmers are expected to directly receive subsidised inorganic fertiliser and certified seed, while 1 221 862 will be reached indirectly through Mbeya organic fertiliser production.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture yesterday indicated its intention to award a K4.59 billion contract for supply of 765 metric tonnes of maize seed under Fisp.

The Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi last week interviewed temporary workers to support implementation of Fisp.

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