The fertiliser policy aims at increasing by 75% the number of farmers accessing high quality fertiliser through commercial channels, but the Ministry of Agriculture has said that implementing this policy awaits the appointment of a new cabinet.

The Principal Soil and Plant Nutrition Scientist in the Department of Agriculture Research Services, Moses Munthali, said the ministry is waiting for the Cabinet ministers that will be appointed to table the policy, as he announced of a Fertiliser Bill that is in the works. “We need this policy as it is going to be the first policy regarding fertiliser that we are going to have. Once it is approved by the Cabinet we can now start working on the fertiliser bill to update it and develop some regulations.’’ said Munthali as he was speaking at the Fertiliser Quality Assurance and Management Meeting that was organised by African Fertiliser and Agribusiness Partnership (Afap).

Prior to the meeting, the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development issued a warning to fertilizer suppliers who the ministry has observed to be selling. The meeting saw farmers bemoaning fake fertiliser traders.