By Wadza Botomani
President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has announced a sweeping set of new government initiatives targeting economic growth and improved public services. The announcements were made during his official address opening the 52nd Session of Parliament in Lilongwe.
A significant new Farm Input Subsidy Programme will launch in the second week of November. Under this scheme, approximately 1.1 million households across the nation will be able to purchase a 50kg bag of fertilizer and a 5kg seed pack for K10,000.
In a move to decentralize development, the government will also reintroduce a reformed Constituency Development Fund. Each constituency will receive an annual allocation of K5 billion, supplemented by an additional K100 million dedicated specifically to youth and women’s business loans.
To boost the national economy, President Mutharika emphasized a renewed focus on industrialisation. He outlined strategic support for private sector growth in six key industries: agro-processing, textiles, minerals, pharmaceuticals, renewable energy, and technology.
On service delivery, the President confirmed the reintroduction of passport printing in all regions. A new high-capacity passport machine is expected to produce up to 500 passports daily, a measure aimed at significantly reducing the long queues currently experienced at immigration offices. The parliamentary session will run from its start on November 5 until December 5, 2025.
