The African Institute for Development Policy (Afidep) has commended President Arthur Peter Mutharika for setting “the right tone” in his State of the Nation Address during the opening of the 54th Session of Parliament.
In his speech, Mutharika said his main priority was the economic recovery of the country.
Afidep Country Manager Elia Zulu said focusing on the economy, strengthening the civil service and promoting agriculture provides a solid direction for national development.
“If we get the economy right, we will get everything right. But we must remember that the economy is driven by the private sector. We need to help small businesses grow because they create jobs and drive growth,” Zulu said.
He also pointed out challenges affecting economic growth, including foreign exchange shortages and unreliable electricity supply.
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“The civil service is the engine that operationalises development. If it remains weak, we will keep going in circles,” Zulu said.
On the other hand, he welcomed the President’s proposal to allocate K5 billion to each constituency, saying it could bring tangible change if implemented transparently.
“Devolution is key and bringing more resources closer to the people will enhance local development,” he said.
On agriculture, Zulu applauded the focus on food security, access to fertiliser and plans to establish a fertiliser production plant.
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“Most Malawians depend on farming, so supporting production and self-sufficiency is crucial,” he said.
Farmers Union of Malawi president Maes Nkhata described the President’s directives as “timely and transformative”.
“The K5 billion allocation per constituency has the potential to transform rural livelihoods and strengthen local food security systems,” Nkhata said.
He urged the government to channel part of the funds through the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation to improve market access and ensure fair prices for smallholder farmers.
“By doing this, farmers can sell their produce locally at fair prices, helping Malawi defeat hunger while stabilising incomes,” Nkhata said.
Nkhata also welcomed the Farm Input Subsidy Programme, which will enable 1.1 million Malawians to access fertiliser at K10,000 per 50-kilogramme bag.
“This initiative shows the government’s serious commitment to supporting smallholder farmers,” he said.
