Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe has urged the government to expedite the distribution of the next consignment of inputs under the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp), citing concerns over delayed fertiliser supplies in Rumphi District.
Many farmers in the district have not accessed subsidised fertiliser, and maize planted so far is growing without top dressing, a situation that could lead to poor harvests, Chikulamayembe told Nation Online.
The chief expressed worry that the delay could exacerbate hunger in the district, where people are already travelling long distances to Admarc depots to buy maize due to last season’s poor harvest.
“People are travelling long distances to Admarc depots to buy maize because last season’s harvest was poor and there is hunger.
That is why I am asking government to provide subsidised fertiliser now to avoid a repeat of the same situation this year,” Chikulamayembe said.
Rumphi District Council director of agriculture services Hastings Nyirongo confirmed that the district has received only 27.6 percent of NPK fertiliser and 42.1 percent of urea allocated under Fisp.
The delay is attributed to low supplies from the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi regional depot, but Nyirongo expects the situation to improve soon.
Nyirongo agreed that continued delays could negatively affect maize production, noting that most farmers planted their maize in the third and fourth weeks of December 2025.
The district has so far received 3,924 bags of NPK fertiliser and 5,979 bags of urea out of the 14,214 bags allocated for each type.
Chikulamayembe’s appeal highlights the urgent need for government intervention to ensure timely distribution of fertilisers and safeguard food security in Rumphi District.
Potential solutions include increasing supplies from the regional depot, exploring alternative fertiliser sources, and enhancing logistics to expedite distribution.
The impact of Fisp delays on Malawi’s agricultural sector could be significant, affecting maize production, food security, and the livelihoods of smallholder farmers.
