By Chisomo Kmabandanga
Nkhata Bay, November 28, Mana: The timely sale of Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) has generated immense excitement among communities in Nkhata Bay saying this will enable smallholder famers to access essential farming inputs paving way for increased crop yield and income.
In an interview on Thursday at Mkumbira resource centre selling point, Luti Kasambala from Chilerawana village in the area of Senior Chief MKumbira said was happy to have secured her bags of fertilizer which will enable her focus on other things.
“I am very grateful to government that this year I have benefited from this programme which was not the case last year. Today I have accessed the bags of fertilizer and now will just be waiting for the rains while finalising preparing my field,” she said.
According to Kasambala, there is hope that in the 2024/2025 farming season produce from her farm will be increased.
Another beneficiary, Esther Nkhwazi from Usisya in the area of Traditional Authority M’bwana said she will use the two bags of fertilizers redeemed for its intended purpose as it is a step further towards achieving food security at her home.
In his remarks, Chairperson for Mkumbira Area Development Committee, Mavuto Kaunda expressed optimism that by the end of December this year, beneficiaries at Nkhata Bay Central Constituency will have redeemed their fertilisers.
“Currently, 635 bags of NPK and 681 bags of NPK have been redeemed in this constituency which has an allocation of 1,428 households to benefit translating to about 48 percent of fertilizer sold within three weeks.
“If the network will be stable and have continued supply of fertilizer, by mid-December everyone will have redeemed their bags of AIP which is encouraging,” he said.
Councillor for Usisya ward, Brown Chizeze, who is also Vice Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Council commended government for timely targeting Usisya, a very hard to reach area, with fertilizers where about 200 bags have already been redeemed.
He further asked for special consideration to increase the load and frequency so that people can access their agriculture inputs before the roads are impassable considering the approaching rainy season.
Commenting on the matter, Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Raphael Mkisi said apart from network challenges selling of AIP commodities is progressing well in the district.
“On average we have two selling points at each of the six constituencies and at least each selling point has fertilizer. The need for the beneficiary of the program to be physically present with the National Identity card has helped to tighten security and also taken vendors out of the system resulting into sanity in selling points,” he said.
He therefore advised farmers not to sale the fertilizer to effectively achieve the program’s goal of making Malawi a food secured nation.
Launched on October 14, 2024 in Neno by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, the 2024/2025 AIP is expected to benefit 12,540 famers in Nkhata Bay.