Government to roll out expanded FIS on November 12.

By Michael Martin//MALAWI

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Roza Mbilizi has announced that the government will officially launch the 2025/2026 Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) on 12 November 2025 in Senior Chief Mavyere’s area in Mchinji District.

The programme aims to boost food security and improve household incomes across the country.

Speaking in Parliament when presenting a ministerial statement, Mbilizi said this year’s rollout demonstrates the government’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening Malawi’s agricultural backbone.

She described the programme as a key pillar in achieving national food self sufficiency.

“The launch of this year’s Fisp marks a renewed effort by the DPP led administration to empower farming families with resources that directly impact their livelihoods,” Mbilizi told lawmakers.

The minister revealed that the government has increased the number of Fisp beneficiaries from 528,020 to 1.1 million households effectively doubling the reach of the programme.

She said this expansion reflects the administration’s determination to ensure that no farmer is left behind in the drive for agricultural transformation.

Under the new arrangement, each beneficiary household will receive one 150 kilogram bag of Urea, one 150 kilogram bag of NPK fertilizer and a five kilogram pack of a cereal seed of their choice.

The cereals include maize, sorghum, rice, or millet, depending on the farmers’ preference and region.

In addition, selected households will also be provided with five goats four females and one male as part of an effort to diversify livelihoods and improve nutrition through livestock farming.

Mbilizi said this initiative would help rural families supplement their crop income and build resilience to climate related shocks.

“The inclusion of livestock in this year’s Fisp is a deliberate move to promote mixed farming and sustainable food systems,” she explained.

“We want every farmer to have a reliable source of income, even beyond crop production.”

Mbilizi assured Parliament that all logistical arrangements have been finalized ahead of the launch, with fertilizer and seeds already dispatched to most districts.

She emphasized that transparency and accountability will guide the implementation process to prevent corruption and political interference.

“We have strengthened monitoring mechanisms to ensure that inputs reach the intended beneficiaries,” she said.

“Our officers and local leaders have been trained to manage the process professionally and fairly.”

The minister also highlighted that the government’s mega farms initiative will complement Fisp by focusing on large-scale production to enhance national food reserves and support agro-industrial growth.

She said the two programmes will work hand in hand to reduce Malawi’s dependence on food imports.

Mbilizi urged farmers to make good use of the inputs and take farming as a business.

She emphasized that productivity and discipline among farmers will be critical in ensuring the success of the expanded Fisp.

“Our collective goal is to make Malawi a food-secure nation,” she concluded.

“The government has played its part it is now up to farmers to seize this opportunity and contribute to the country’s prosperity.”