Agricultural authorities have called for greater adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies to strengthen extension services, improve productivity and promote profitable farming in the country.
Controller of Agricultural Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Jeremy Nkhoma, said this during the Malawi Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (MaFAAS) 2026 Farming and Extension Conference in Lilongwe.
Nkhoma said extension officers must translate existing research into practical solutions that help farmers withstand climate shocks and access markets as farmers adopt the use of technology to quickly access extension services.
He highlighted that technology could improve agricultural extension services efficiency and accelerate commercialisation.
Nkhoma said this can be through AI-powered weather forecasts, mobile-phone advisories, digital pest diagnosis, data-guided irrigation and online marketplaces, which could help farmers anticipate El Niño, manage crops and connect with buyers.
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) Country Director, Bernadette Mukonyora, said agricultural extension services must move beyond teaching farmers how to produce crops to helping them farm profitably and access markets, with technology playing a key role.
Mukonyora said Malawi’s large farming population makes it difficult for extension officers to reach every farmer individually and in time.
She also highlighted the importance of AI and digital technologies in expanding access to timely agricultural advice and improving farming outcomes.
The conference is being held under the theme “Re-invigorating Extension Hub for Accelerated Food Security and Wealth Creation for All.”
By Yamikani Makanga
