Malawian agricultural policy rests on the Malawi 2063 vision, its first implementation plan MIP-1 for 2021–2030 and the National Agriculture Policy of 2024. The legal base combines older crop and marketing laws with recent Acts on seed, fertiliser, tobacco, irrigation and land. Several Acts, including the Warehouse Receipts Act of 2017 and the Fertilizer Act of 2023, come into force by ministerial notice, which had not been found in October 2026.
This note explains how the entries are linked. MalawiLII document pages and the Parliament website show a bot check to automated readers, so each Act links to the Government Gazette copy published through Laws.Africa or Gazettes.Africa, to FAOLEX or to the Reserve Bank's copy. Numbers, dates and commencement status were checked on 17 October 2026 against the MalawiLII listings and the gazette notices. An Act is described as awaiting commencement where it requires a ministerial notice and none was found, which does not exclude a notice outside the sources checked.
Milestones in agricultural and agri-finance policy
Seed Act in force, National Agriculture Policy 20241516Law
2024
Tobacco Industry Act No. 5 of 2024, NSFI III1718Law
Aug 2025
Irrigation Act in force, export proceeds directive1920Law
2026
2026/27 budget names the input subsidy the Fertilizer Input Subsidy Program, policy rate cut to 24%2122Finance
8.1
Land, crops and marketing
Agriculture (General Purposes) ActCap. 65:05Consolidated text, in force
The Act makes general provision for the regulation of the agriculture industry and defines agricultural crops to exclude tobacco, cotton and declared special crops23. Ministerial minimum crop prices rest on it, for example the Minimum Prices for Agricultural Crops Regulations of 2020, which bind buyers licensed under the Agriculture Produce (Marketing) Regulations and make buying below the minimum an offence that can lead to revocation of the buyer's licence24.
Special Crops ActCap. 65:01 (Act 27 of 1963)In operation from 7 Sep 1963
The Act provides for the development and marketing of crops declared as special crops and allows the Minister to establish a Special Crop Authority for each, with licensing powers26. Orders made under it have covered crops such as coffee and tree nuts27.
Tobacco Industry ActAct No. 5 of 2024, preceded by Act No. 10 of 20192024 Act assent date not verified. 2019 Act assent 19 Feb 2019, published 22 Feb 2019
The Tobacco Industry Act of 2019 provided for the regulation, promotion and development of the tobacco industry and established the Tobacco Commission. It required growers to register with the Commission, covered contract and auction marketing and repealed the Tobacco Act (Cap. 65:02) and the Control of Tobacco Auction Floors Act (Cap. 65:03)8. It has been followed by the Tobacco Industry Act, 2024 (No. 5 of 2024). The Tobacco Minimum Prices Orders of April 2024 and April 2025 were made under section 69(1) of the 2024 Act and set minimum prices in US dollars per kilogram by grade1728. The text and assent date of the 2024 Act could not be opened, so its provisions on the 2019 Act and on the Tobacco Commission were not verified29.
Recent changes: The 2023 minimum price order was made under the 2019 Act and the 2024 and 2025 orders under the 2024 Act29.
The Act establishes the Cotton Council of Malawi and provides for the regulation, improvement and development of the cotton industry30. A cotton levy notice was issued under it in 202431.
Control of Goods Act, 2018Act No. 15 of 2018Assent 16 Jun 2018, published 29 Jun 2018, commencement by ministerial notice (no notice found, orders made under it from Dec 2021)
The Act regulates the import into and export out of Malawi of classes of goods and repeals the Control of Goods Act (Cap. 18:08), while saving orders and licences made under it33. Export controls on staples are applied through it, as in the Control of Goods (Export of Maize and Maize Products) Order of 2021, which requires an export licence supported by a Ministry of Agriculture letter of authority34. The Export Mandate Regulations of June 2021, made under the earlier Act, require listed grains, legumes and oilseeds to be exported through or certified by a licensed commodity exchange35.
Cooperative Societies ActCap. 47:02 (Act 36 of 1998)In operation from 1 Apr 2000
The Act consolidates the law on the constitution and regulation of cooperative societies and provides for a Registrar of cooperatives36. Savings and credit cooperatives are regulated separately under the Financial Cooperatives Act25.
Irrigation Act, 2024Act No. 29 of 2024In force from 1 Aug 2025 (GN 75 of 2025, made 28 Jul 2025), assent date not verified
The Minister of Agriculture appointed 1 August 2025 as the commencement date of the Act19. It replaced the Irrigation Act of 2001 (Cap. 72:04), which MalawiLII lists as repealed37. The National Irrigation Policy 2024 records that the Irrigation Board and Irrigation Fund created by the 2001 Act were largely not operational during the 2016 policy period because of budget limitations38.
Greenbelt Authority Act, 2017Act No. 23 of 2017In force from 10 Aug 2020 (GN 41 of 2020)
The Act provides for the designation of the Greenbelt area and establishes the Greenbelt Authority39. The Minister of Agriculture appointed 10 August 2020 as its commencement date40.
Land Act, 2016Act No. 16 of 2016 (Cap. 57:01), amended by Act No. 5 of 2022Assent 1 Sep 2016, published 2 Sep 2016, no commencement notice found. Amendment in force 1 Jul 2022
The Act makes provision for land in Malawi and replaced the Land Act of 19654137. The Land (Amendment) Act of 2022, assented on 31 March 2022, redefined customary, freehold and Government land and inserted new sections on land administration42. The amendment came into operation on 1 July 202213.
Customary Land Act, 2016Act No. 19 of 2016, amended by Act No. 15 of 2022Assent 1 Sep 2016, published 2 Sep 2016, deemed in operation from 1 Mar 2018 (GN 17 of 2018). Amendment in force 1 Jul 2022
The Act provides for the management and administration of customary land and repeals the Customary Land (Development) Act and the Local Land Boards Act4. It was deemed to have come into operation on 1 March 201843. The Customary Land (Amendment) Act of 2022 came into operation on 1 July 202213. In the 2025 agricultural census 71.8% of smallholder land was held under customary tenure44.
Physical Planning Act, 2016Act No. 17 of 2016, amended by Act No. 12 of 2022Assent 1 Sep 2016, published 2 Sep 2016, deemed in operation from 20 Apr 2018 (GN 36 of 2018). Amendment in force 1 Jul 2022
The Act provides for physical planning and the orderly development of land in urban and rural areas, development permission and a Physical Planning Council45. It was deemed in operation from 20 April 2018 and amended with effect from 1 July 20224613.
Registered Land ActCap. 58:01, amended by Act No. 7 of 2017 and Act No. 13 of 20222017 amendment published 27 Jan 2017, in operation from 20 Apr 2018 except two provisions. 2022 amendment in force 1 Jul 2022
The Registered Land (Amendment) Act of 2017 was published on 27 January 2017 and brought into operation from 20 April 2018 except sections 2(g) and 34746. A further amendment, together with amendments to the Land Survey Act (Cap. 59:03) and the Lands Acquisition and Compensation Act (Cap. 58:04), took effect on 1 July 202213. In the 2025 agricultural census 81.9% of agricultural households reported unregistered parcels44.
Seed Act, 2022Act No. 21 of 2022In force from 1 Apr 2024 (GN 19 of 2024, dated 26 Mar 2024, gazetted 5 Apr 2024), assent date not verified
The Minister of Agriculture brought the Seed Act of 2022 into force on 1 April 202415. It succeeds the Seed Act (Cap. 67:06), under which the Seed Regulations of 2018 were made2531. The National Seed Policy of April 2018 preceded it48.
Fertilizer Act, 2023Act No. 13 of 2023Assent 18 Feb 2023, published 21 Feb 2023, commencement by ministerial notice (no notice found)
The Act establishes the Malawi Fertilizer Regulatory Authority, provides for the registration of fertilizers approved for use and regulates the manufacture, blending, distribution, import and export of fertilizer14. It comes into force on a date appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, and no such notice was found by October 20261449. The National Fertiliser Policy of March 2021 sets the policy framework50.
Pesticides ActCap. 35:03 (Act 12 of 2000), amended by Act No. 8 of 2018In operation from 1 May 2002, amendment in force by GN 86 of 2018
The Act controls the import, export, manufacture, distribution, storage, disposal and use of pesticides and establishes the Pesticides Control Board with a Registrar and a levy51. The Pesticides (Amendment) Act of 2018 was brought into force by Government Notice 86 of 201849.
Plant Protection Act, 2018Act No. 19 of 2018Assent 20 Aug 2018, published 24 Aug 2018, in force from 31 Aug 2020 (GN 67 of 2020)
The Act provides for the protection of plants, establishes a Plant Protection Unit and provides for the eradication of pests and diseases and the prevention of their introduction and spread5253. The Minister of Agriculture appointed 31 August 2020 as its commencement date, together with the Plant Breeder's Rights Act of 2018 (No. 20 of 2018) and the Cannabis Regulation Act of 202054.
Control and Diseases of Animals ActCap. 66:02Consolidated text, in force
The principal animal health statute, listed in MalawiLII together with the Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Practitioners Act (Cap. 53:04) and the Biosafety Act (Cap. 60:03) that governs genetically modified organisms25. The National Livestock Development Policy covers 2021–202655.
Warehouse Receipts Act, 2017Act No. 3 of 2018Assent 24 Jan 2018, published 2 Feb 2018, commencement by ministerial notice (no notice found)
The Act provides for warehouse receipts and warehousing and for the negotiation and transfer of warehouse receipts6. Section 1 provides that it comes into force on a day appointed by the Minister by notice in the Gazette, and no such notice was found in the sources checked649. The warehouse receipt system run by the Agricultural Commodity Exchange for Africa operated 126 certified storage sites in 202556.
Financial Services ActAct No. 26 of 2010 (Cap. 44:05), amended by Act No. 5 of 2025Assent 29 Jul 2010, published 30 Jul 2010, in force. Amendment assent 24 Jan 2025, published and effective 31 Jan 2025
The Act establishes the Registrar of Financial Institutions within the Reserve Bank and provides for the licensing and supervision of financial institutions and for supervisory levies3. Licensing has been handled by the Bank's Financial Sector Regulation Department since August 201757. The Reserve Bank's climate risk guidelines of October 2024 were issued under section 96 of the Act58. The Financial Services (Amendment) Act, 2025, which the Registrar's annual report calls the Financial Services (Amendment) Act, 2024, revised the definitions in section 2, inserted a new section 2A on the application of other laws and amended, replaced or inserted provisions from section 3 to section 108, including sections 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 20, 21 and 23 and new sections 27A–27B, 44A, 54A–54B, 72A–72S, 76A and 100A5960.
Banking ActAct No. 10 of 2010 (Cap. 44:01)Assent 8 Jan 2010, published 11 Jan 2010, in force
The Act provides for the licensing of banks and their prudential supervision, including capital ratios and provisioning for bad debts61. Eight commercial banks were licensed at the end of 202560.
Microfinance Act, 2010Act No. 21 of 2010 (Cap. 46:08)Assent 29 Jul 2010, published 30 Jul 2010, commencement notice not located
The Act provides for the regulation and supervision of microfinance services62. The Registrar counted 7 deposit-taking and 30 non-deposit-taking microfinance institutions and 140 microcredit agencies at the end of 202560.
Financial Cooperatives ActCap. 46:10 (2011)In force
The Act regulates financial cooperatives such as savings and credit cooperatives, with a prompt corrective action directive issued in 20182531. Forty-one financial cooperatives were registered at the end of 2025, holding K104.6 billion of loans60.
Insurance ActAct No. 9 of 2010 (Cap. 47:01), succeeded by the Insurance Act (No. 6 of 2025)2010 Act assent 8 Jan 2010, published 11 Jan 2010. New Act assented and published January 2025 according to the Registrar of Financial Institutions, in operation from 1 May 2025 (GN 32 of 2025)
The 2010 Act provided for the licensing of insurers, classes of insurance and solvency margins63. Government Notice 32 of 2025, published in the Gazette of 29 April 2025, appointed 1 May 2025 as the commencement date of the Insurance Act (No. 6 of 2025), which MalawiLII lists as the Insurance Act, 2025 and the notice's text calls the Insurance Act, 20246449. The Registrar's 2025 annual report refers to it as the Insurance Bill, 2024, gazetted in January 202560. The assent date of the new Act was not verified. General insurers wrote agricultural insurance premiums of K960.0 million in 2024 and K1,225.6 million in 202560.
Credit Reference Bureau ActAct No. 18 of 2010 (Cap. 46:09)Assent 22 Apr 2010, published 30 Apr 2010, in force, amended 2016
The Act provides for the licensing and operation of credit reference bureaus and the collection and sharing of credit information under the Registrar's oversight65. It was amended in 201657. Two bureaus, TransUnion and Credit Data, were licensed at the end of 202560.
Payment Systems ActAct No. 15 of 2016 (Cap. 74:01)Assent 1 Sep 2016, published 2 Sep 2016, in force
The Act gives the Reserve Bank powers to license, regulate and oversee payment systems and provides for settlement finality, netting and electronic records66. Registered mobile money wallets numbered 19.9 million at the end of 202567.
Reserve Bank of Malawi Act, 2018Act No. 3 of 2019Assent 25 Jan 2019, published 15 Feb 2019, commencement notice not located
The Act re-establishes the Reserve Bank and sets its objectives, independence, capital and governance9. The Bank was first established in July 196468. The 25% devaluation of the kwacha on 27 May 2022 was made under this Act69.
Public Finance Management Act, 2022Act No. 4 of 2022Assent and publication 31 Mar 2022, in force
The Act sets the legal and institutional framework for public finance management and for preparing and implementing the national budget, including the input subsidy and maize purchase lines7071. It replaced the Public Finance Management Act of 200337.
Source: RBM — Meetings at which the rate and reserve requirement were both unchanged are not listed. The rate stayed at 13.5% in the first three meetings of 2020 and at 26.0% in all four meetings of 2025. The reserve requirement on foreign-currency deposits stayed at 3.75%. The Lombard rate is set 0.2 percentage points above the policy rate. The next decision was due on 29 October 2026.
8.4
Strategies and plans
Malawi 2063 and the First 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP-1) 2021–2030National Planning CommissionMalawi 2063 published 2020, MIP-1 2021
Malawi 2063 sets agricultural productivity and commercialisation as the first of three pillars, alongside industrialisation and urbanisation10. MIP-1 targets a rise in agriculture's share of GDP from 22.8% in 2020 to about 30% by 2030 and in the area under commercial agriculture from 16% to at least 40%9811. These are targets. The agriculture pillar receives K924.1 billion in the 2026/27 budget, 8.42% of the total71.
National Agriculture Policy 2024Ministry of Agriculture2024, runs with MIP-1
The policy is the second overarching agriculture policy after the National Agriculture Policy of 2016, which was implemented from 2016 to 2021165. Its strategies include access to affordable finance for inputs, input support targeted at anchor farms and mega farms, land pooling for smallholders and an Agricultural Mechanisation Fund16. It states that smallholders produce about 75% of national crop output and that their yields are about 20% of potential16.
National Agricultural Investment Plan 2017/18–2022/23Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water DevelopmentJanuary 2018
The plan costs 16 intervention areas in four programmes at US$3,219 million in constant 2017 dollars, including US$31 million for access to financial services, with a funding gap of US$330–780 million or 10–24% of the total7. No successor investment plan was found in an accessible source in October 2026.
National Irrigation Policy 2024Ministry of Agriculture2024, follows the National Irrigation Policy of September 2016
The policy puts irrigation potential at 407,862 hectares, of which about 148,850 hectares, 36.5%, had been developed38. It replaced the policy of September 201699. The Ministry of Finance reports 156,351 hectares developed in 2025, 38.0% of potential as stated100.
National Climate Change Management PolicyEnvironmental Affairs DepartmentJune 2016
The policy was issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining in June 2016 and states that about 80% of Malawians depend on renewable natural resources for their livelihoods101. Malawi had not submitted a National Adaptation Plan by October 2026 and works from a NAP Framework of March 2020102103.
National Resilience Strategy 2018–2030 and Disaster Risk Financing Strategy 2019–2024Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Ministry of Finance2018 and 2019
The National Resilience Strategy aims at breaking the cycle of food insecurity over 2018–2030104. The Ministry of Finance issued a Disaster Risk Financing Strategy and Implementation Plan for 2019–2024105. Sovereign drought insurance with African Risk Capacity paid out US$3.38 million for the 2024/25 season106.
National Strategy for Financial Inclusion III 2024–2028Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs2024
The strategy targets access to at least one formal financial service for 95% of adults by 2028 and a fall in financial exclusion from 12% to 5%18. It follows strategies for 2010–2014 and 2016–2020 and was prepared with IFAD support through the FARMSE programme18.
Sector policies for seed, fertiliser, livestock, fisheries and riceMinistry of Agriculture2016–2024
The National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy (second edition, June 2016), the National Seed Policy (April 2018), the National Fertiliser Policy (March 2021), the National Livestock Development Policy 2021–2026 and the National Rice Development Strategy 2024–2030 complement the overarching agriculture policy107485055108.
Agriculture in the national budget, 2023/24–2026/27
Item
2023/24
2024/25
2025/26
2026/27
Ministry of Agriculture, Vote 190, approved (MWK million)
360,818.33
465,874.44
667,750.22
971,361.86
Vote 190, revised (MWK million)
399,800.27
–
812,741.69
–
Mega Farms sub-programme, approved (MWK million)
378.89
3,685.23
6,498.30
44,721.24
Maize purchases, approved (MWK million)
–
22,000
60,000
60,000
Input subsidy, approved (MWK million)
–
161,285
111,450
111,450
Source: MoFEA · MoFEPD — The 2026/27 Vote 190 includes a new water resources programme of MWK 145,321.37 million. The Mega Farms line was revised to MWK 344.52 million in 2025/26. The agriculture pillar of MIP-1 receives K924.1 billion in 2026/27, 8.42% of the budget71.
8.5
International commitments and trade
Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris AgreementUpdated NDC (July 2021), NDC 3.0 (June 2026)Updated NDC submitted 30 Jul 2021, NDC 3.0 final version dated 17 Jun 2026
The updated NDC set a 6% unconditional and 51% combined reduction below business as usual by 2040, excluding forestry and land use, at an estimated cost of US$46.3 billion111. NDC 3.0 covers all sectors and sets unconditional reductions of 8% by 2030 and 12% by 2035, rising to 30% and 48% with support, at a cost of US$7.06 billion for 2025–2035112.
India–Malawi arrangement on pigeon pea importsDGFT Public Notice No. 8/2015-2024 Jun 2021, for 2021-22 to 2025-26
India set an annual quota of 50,000 tonnes of pigeon peas (tur) from Malawi for the five financial years 2021-22 to 2025-26 under a memorandum of understanding between the two governments113. The window ended on 31 March 2026, and no renewal had been found by October 2026113.
Loan authorisation Acts for agricultural programmesAct No. 4 of 2018, Act No. 12 of 2018, Act No. 2 of 2020, Act No. 10 of 2020, Act No. 23 of 20202018–2020
Parliament authorised IDA borrowing of up to SDR 70.1 million for the Agricultural Commercialization Project, an IFAD loan of US$21 million for the FARMSE programme, an IFAD loan of SDR 37.05 million and an OPEC Fund loan of US$20 million for the TRADE programme, and IDA borrowing for the Financial Inclusion and Entrepreneurship Scaling Project114115116117118.
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