Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development

07/08/2026

06/08/2026

AGRA's 20-year partnership has transformed Malawi's agriculture -Minister

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Honourable Roza Fatch Mbilizi, has hailed the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) for its 20-year partnership with Malawi, saying it has made a significant contribution to transforming the country's agriculture through improved seed systems, soil health, policy reforms and market access.

Speaking during the AGRA@20 Malawi Commemoration at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Mbilizi described the anniversary as a celebration of a partnership that has brought together Government, development partners, research institutions, the private sector and farmers.

"Today is not only a celebration of an institution. It is a celebration of a partnership. The progress we recognise was not achieved by AGRA nor by Government alone, but through collaborative work," she said.

She said since 2006, AGRA has supported the release of 31 improved crop varieties, produced more than 16,600 metric tonnes of certified seed, trained agricultural experts and strengthened extension services, while improving access to inputs, markets and financial services for about 150,000 farmers.

The Minister, however, said challenges such as limited markets, inadequate financing, post-harvest losses and climate change continue to affect the sector.

She stressed that future partnerships should focus on building coordinated commercial ecosystems that promote wealth creation, industrialisation and exports in line with Malawi 2063.

Mbilizi called for stronger Government leadership, increased private sector investment, improved agricultural financing and greater involvement of women and young people in agricultural development.

AGRA Malawi Country Director, Dr Eluphy Nyirenda, said the organisation has made significant contributions to Malawi's agricultural transformation over the past 20 years through investments in improved seed systems, soil health, market development and policy reforms.

Nyirenda said AGRA has supported the release of 31 improved crop varieties, produced more than 16,600 metric tonnes of certified seed, trained agricultural experts and strengthened extension services that have improved access to quality inputs, markets and financial services for thousands of smallholder farmers.

"Over the past 20 years, AGRA has worked with Government and other partners to build a stronger and more resilient agricultural sector. These achievements demonstrate the power of partnerships in transforming the lives of smallholder farmers," she said.

She reaffirmed AGRA's commitment to working with Government and stakeholders to strengthen inclusive and climate-resilient agricultural value chains.

31/07/2026

MALAWI STEPS UP PREPAREDNESS FOR 2026/27 EL NIÑO

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Honourable Roza Fatch Mbilizi says Malawi is strengthening measures to mitigate the anticipated effects of the 2026/27 El Niño phenomenon.

Mbilizi said this while presenting Malawi’s preparedness measures during the African Union (AU) Ministerial Dialogue, held as part of the AU Extraordinary Session on Africa’s response to El Niño.

Speaking virtually, the Minister said Malawi has formulated a National El Niño Preparedness Plan aimed at coordinating efforts across key sectors, strengthening early warning systems, promoting anticipatory action, protecting food and nutrition security and providing support to vulnerable households.

She said the plan provides a coordinated framework for Government and its partners to prepare for and respond to the potential impacts of El Niño.

Mbilizi said an Ad Hoc Cabinet Committee on El Niño Preparedness, appointed by President Arthur Peter Mutharika, will provide oversight to the implementation of the plan.

According to the Minister, the Committee will coordinate preparedness efforts and ensure that interventions in agriculture, food security, health, water, education, logistics and other priority sectors are properly integrated.

Mbilizi, however, stressed the importance of mobilising additional support to ensure effective implementation of the preparedness plan.

“We call for stronger support and cooperation from the African Union, regional bodies, development partners and the private sector. Investing in preparedness today will help protect lives and livelihoods tomorrow,” she said.

The Extraordinary Session was held under the theme “Strengthening Africa’s Preparedness, Resilience and Climate Action”, following forecasts indicating the possibility of a very strong El Niño later this year.

Experts warned that Southern Africa could experience drought conditions, while the Horn of Africa may face flooding, with several parts of the continent also at risk of extreme heat.

They encouraged countries to intensify preparedness measures, including promoting drought-tolerant crops, strengthening food reserves, enhancing disease surveillance and establishing emergency financing mechanisms.

In their communiqué, the ministers committed themselves to strengthening Africa’s preparedness, early action, response and recovery efforts, while mobilising political commitment and resources and accelerating implementation of Agenda 2063.

31/07/2026

CHENJEZO LOKHUDZA KUCHULUKA KWA FETELEZA WACHINYENGO PA MSIKA

Unduna wa Zamalimidwe, Ulimi Othilira ndi Chitukuko cha Madzi ukuchenjeza alimi ndi anthu onse m'dziko muno za kuchuluka kwa feteleza wachinyengo omwe ukupezeka pamsika. Izi zikutsatira kupezeka kwa matumba opitilira 600 a feteleza wachinyengo omwe anaikidwa m'matumba okhala ndi chizindikiro cha ETG, ndipo pakhoza kukhalanso ena omwe ali m'matumba a zizindikiro zina.

Feteleza wachinyengo amakhala ndi michere yosakwanira ndipo amachepetsa zokolola, amawononga nthaka komanso amasokoneza chitetezo cha chakudya. Choncho, Undunawu ukulimbikitsa alimi kuti azigula feteleza kwa ogulitsa ovomerezeka okha, komanso aone ngati uli ndi chizindikiro cha Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS), nambala yolembetsa, tsiku lopangidwa ndi tsiku lotha ntchito.

Undunawu walimbikitsa ntchito zoyendera ndi kufufuza ndipo udzachitapo kanthu mwalamulo kwa aliyense amene akupezeka akupanga, kugawa kapena kugulitsa feteleza wachinyengo. Alimi ndi anthu onse akulimbikitsidwa kunena mwamsanga akangoona feteleza wokayikitsa kuti ateteze ulimi, nthaka komanso chitetezo cha chakudya m'dziko.


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30/07/2026

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Honourable Roza Fatch Mbilizi, MP, has disclosed that Government is sourcing US$200 million to complete the Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply Project.

Mbilizi told Parliament that Government remains committed to fulfilling its promise to the people of Salima, Lilongwe, Dowa and surrounding areas by completing the project.

She said the transformative initiative is expected to be commissioned by June 2027.

The Minister acknowledged that the project experienced delays due to severe funding shortages under the previous administration but assured the House that the current Government has prioritised its completion.

The US$315 million (about K535 billion) infrastructure project is designed to pump and treat 100 million litres of water per day from Lake Malawi in Salima District to supply Lilongwe City, Salima and Dowa districts.

Once completed, the project is expected to significantly improve water supply in the three districts and surrounding areas.

30/07/2026

⚠️ BEWARE OF FRAUDSTERS⚠️

The Blantyre Water Board would NEVER ask you for your password, PIN, National ID number, or verification codes on WhatsApp or phone calls.

Fraudsters are pretending to be part of BWB groups to trick you into sharing personal information.

Protect yourself:
1. Never share account details or sensitive info with strangers
2. Do not click suspicious links
3. Stay alert- Think before you click

If in doubt, call the BWB Toll Free Line: 5580

Water is life, Conserve it.

29/07/2026

PUBLIC DISCLAIMER

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development wishes to inform the general public that the document circulating on social media titled "Conditional Approval of Your Application for the Agricultural Small and Micro Enterprises (SME) Grant Initiative (2026)" is FAKE and did not originate from the Ministry.

The Ministry is not implementing any grant programme under the so-called National Grants Committee (NGC) or in partnership with the Global Farmers Association (GFA) as stated in the fraudulent document.

Members of the public are advised not to respond, register, share personal information, or make any payments in relation to this fake document.

Any official announcements regarding Ministry programmes or grants will only be communicated through the Ministry's official channels .

28/07/2026

ADMARC receives K10 Billion to boost Agricultural Produce purchases

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Honourable Roza Fatch Mbilizi, has disclosed that the Ministry of Finance has allocated K10 billion to ADMARC to increase the purchase of agricultural produce from farmers across the country.

Speaking in Parliament, Honourable Mbilizi said the funding is intended to provide farmers with a dependable market for crops beyond maize while strengthening ADMARC's capacity to procure and market agricultural commodities.

She encouraged farmers growing soybeans, pigeon peas, groundnuts and other crops to sell their produce to ADMARC and benefit from the initiative.

23/07/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE

BEWARE OF FAKE "AGRICULTURE GRANTS 2026" ADVERTISEMENT

The Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development wishes to inform the general public that a social media post circulating under the title "Agriculture Grants 2026" is FAKE and has not been issued by the Ministry.

The fraudulent post is being circulated through a fake page impersonating the official Ministry of Agriculture page. It falsely claims that applications are open for an Agricultural Grant Programme and provides a link for members of the public to apply.

The Ministry categorically states that it has not launched any programme called "Agriculture Grants 2026" and is not inviting applications for such grants.

Members of the public are therefore advised not to click on the link, submit personal information, or make any payments in response to the fraudulent advertisement.

The Ministry urges the public to obtain information only from its official communication channels and to remain vigilant against individuals or pages impersonating Government institutions for fraudulent purposes.

23/07/2026

𝐍𝐅𝐑𝐀 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐳𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭

The National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) has commenced the 2026 maize procurement programme following Government's allocation of MK100 billion towards the purchase of maize for the Strategic Grain Reserve (SGR).

Speaking during a media briefing in Lilongwe, NFRA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Bruce Munthali announced that the Agency has already accessed MK20 billion, with maize deliveries from approved suppliers expected to commence on 22 July 2026.

A total of 185 contracts have been approved to participate in this year's procurement exercise. The Agency expects to purchase 108,000 metric tonnes (MT) of maize under the current funding arrangement.

Combined with the existing Strategic Grain Reserve stock of approximately 62,000 MT, the procurement will increase the national reserve to about 170,000 MT. Government continues to mobilise additional resources to further strengthen the Strategic Grain Reserve and enhance national food security.

The procurement is being undertaken as part of Government's proactive efforts to safeguard the country's food security, particularly in anticipation of possible weather-related challenges during the upcoming agricultural season.

NFRA will continue purchasing maize at the approved farm-gate price of MK900 per kilogramme and remains committed to ensuring a transparent, efficient and accountable procurement process.



Text and Pictures credit NRFA