By Andrew Mkonda & Mwai Kumanda

Lilongwe, October 10, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has applauded farmers from Lilongwe District Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) for prioritizing farming and being able to raise K1.7 billion for farm inputs for the 2024/2025 growing season.

Kawale made the remarks Wednesday at Phiri la Njuzi Primary School Ground in the area of Senior Chief Masumbankhunda in the district during the farmers’ resource mobilization and distribution ceremony.

He admired what the farmers have done appealing to other farmers across the country to emulate the initiative in order to curb hunger in the country.

 “Today we are here to witness a game changer in the agriculture sector which is an extremely exciting innovative way of mobilizing resources to prepare for the next farming season.

“What the farmers have raised is quite a huge amount of money that has never been contributed by any group in the country in preparation for farm inputs. I, therefore, congratulate all the farmers who participated in the initiative. This is the way to go,” said Kawale.

He said the farmers’ initiative clearly demonstrates their commitment towards farming in the district and pledged the ministry’s support towards such initiatives.

Chairperson for Lilongwe District Agriculture Stakeholder Panel (DASP), Joyce James Chikakheni, encouraged farmers to continue working together in order to benefit from farming.

“I want to encourage my fellow farmers in all the EPAs to work together in unity and cooperation as we have done in raising this amount.

“If all the farmers across the country can start what we have done, then farmers can start enjoying benefits of farming,” she said.

Senior Chief Masumbankhunda urged his subjects to stop selling farm land saying it is counterproductive.

“We cannot talk of having high yields if we do not have land where we can grow crops. Selling farm land is contributing to hunger in the country,” said the chief.

Farmers Resource Mobilization Initiative will, among other benefits, enable farmers access improved farm inputs, cut transportation costs since they get direct deliveries and avoid purchase of counterfeit farm inputs.