By Leah Malimbasa

Zomba, November 26, Mana: Farmers in Zomba District have expressed gratitude to government for the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), which has enabled them to purchase fertilizer and other essential farming supplies at subsidized prices. 

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Kelise Kuloweka, who is one of the farmers from Magwira Village, Traditional Authority(TA) Malemia, said the program has eased her financial burden during this planting season. 

“I have bought my fertilizer at MK15, 000 per bag. I can now prepare my field on time without worrying about fertilizer,” she said. 

Another farmer, Charles Likoya from Mpasye Village, TA Malemia, said he is optimistic that this season he will at least triple the yields he normally gets from his two-hectare maize field.

“This fertilizer will help my family achieve food security. Despite irrigating my field, it was still difficult to harvest enough due to the soil’s infertility,” he said.

He added that it is unfortunate that some farmers sell their affordable inputs to vendors.

“Government has done its part by subsidizing the inputs and it is our responsibility to utilize the inputs for its intended use,” said Likoya.

According to AIP Coordinator for Zomba, Limbani Thangata, the district has 35,174 beneficiaries in this year’s program.

“This program is crucial for addressing food insecurity and poverty, that’s why we are urging beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and avoid selling them to ensure the program achieves its intended impact,” said Thangata.