By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, October 19, Mana: Over 33,804 small-scale farmers in Thyolo are set to benefit from the 2024/2025 Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), to improve food security at household level.

Speaking at a full Council meeting on Friday, Agriculture Service Committee, Chairperson, Councilor George Matiya, said the AIP will significantly boost productivity as small scale farmers will buy farm inputs at affordable prices.

“The programme will help farmers to buy fertilsers to increase yield. It is pleasing that the programme targets farmers with land capable of producing sufficient food crops,

“This was not the case in the past when even those without farm land received inputs only to sell them,” he said.

Matiya also assured farmers who are not included in the AIP beneficiary list that the government has alternative measures to assist them.

“National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) is offering loans to farmers to purchase farm inputs. Farmers that are not on AIP list should take advantage of this opportunity,” Matiya added.

The Agriculture Service Committee Chairperson observed that if the AIP in the district is properly implemented, it will benefit the intended recipients, saying this will address food and nutrition insecurity.

“If executed very well, it will reduce issues such as vendors dominating the market and manipulating the system by purchasing inputs meant for the beneficiaries,” he added.

Traditional Authority, Kapichi also expressed appreciation for the 2024/2025 AIP, noting that the programme will help reduce hunger at household level and entire district.

Chief Agricultural Officer for Thyolo District Council, Mphatso Mbulukwa Kafuwa, said there was need to adhere to the AIP implementation guidelines for best results.

“We were here to inform the full council about the importance of following AIP guidelines and procedures. We explained the number of beneficiaries per EPA, per Traditional Authority. Local leaders have a role to play to ensure success of this year’s AIP,” she said.

President Lazarus Chakwera launched 2024/2025 growing season AIP at Dzundu Primary School, at Zalewa in Neno District on October 14.

Registered small-scale farmers are expected to receive 50 kilogramme bags of UREA and CAN fertilidsers