New fertiliser option for Malawian farmers

Malawian farmers could soon have a new fertiliser option as Press Cane Limited starts producing organic fertiliser at its plant in Chikwawa.

The company expects the locally produced fertiliser to reach the market during the 2026 growing season, potentially giving farmers another source of farm inputs while reducing reliance on imported fertiliser.

Speaking during a media tour of the facility on Monday, Press Cane Sales and Marketing Manager Mercy Kamanga said the company had overcome challenges encountered during the commissioning phase and had now started production.

“We are excited to announce that the plant was commissioned and, therefore, we have started producing the organic fertiliser that we have all been waiting for in the country,” said Kamanga.

The plant has the capacity to produce about 100 tonnes of organic fertiliser per day, translating to approximately 600 bags of 50 kilogrammes each.

Kamanga said the fertiliser is produced from effluent and contains more than five percent potassium, making it suitable for crops such as maize and legumes.

Potassium is an important nutrient in plant development and crop production.

She added that fertiliser manufacturing companies could also use the product as a raw material for producing different fertiliser formulations.

“We are hoping that for the 2026 growing season, the product is going to be out there on the market,” said Kamanga.

The commissioning of the plant follows about three years of efforts by Press Cane to bring the facility to full operational capacity.

For farmers, the development could provide another source of locally produced fertiliser as Malawi continues to grapple with challenges surrounding the availability and affordability of agricultural inputs.

Shire Valley Media Club President MacMillan Mozeyo said local fertiliser production could help the country reduce its dependence on imports and ease pressure on the foreign exchange market.

“The locally produced fertiliser could also help reduce costs for farmers by cutting some of the expenses associated with importing and transporting fertiliser over long distances,” said Mozeyo.

However, Mozeyo urged Press Cane to ensure that communities and landowners in areas where the company operates also benefit from the investment.

“I want to urge Press Cane to ensure that communities and landowners in the areas the company operates benefit from the investment through various initiatives,” he said.

Journalists toured Press Cane’s fertiliser and ethanol production facilities, as well as its effluent management ponds.

The ponds are used to process waste from the company’s operations into organic manure that can be used in crop production.