By Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, November 28, Mana: Smallholder farmers in Nkhotakota District have expressed gratitude towards government for the timely access to Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) that enables them to purchase fertilizer at a cheaper price ahead of the farming season.

Speaking to Malawi news agency on Thursday, one of the Farmers Zaina Dawali, from Chipala Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Malengachanzi thanked the government for providing fertilizer at an affordable price. She said her family couldn't manage to buy at higher price from other shops.

"This fertilizer will help our crops to grow well and harvest more yield and have more food in our family after harvesting, "said Dawali.

Another Beneficiary Rashid Stambuli from Chilibunu Village Traditional Authority (TA) Mphonde also praised government for the affordable inputs coming on time ahead of the farming season giving farmers enough time to make sure they yield better harvest.

"This will help us to prepare our crops in time and I thank the government we are now buying 2 bags of fertiliser at K30,000." He said.

Village Headman Phagwa from Traditional Authority Malengachazi of the district said people in his community have accessed the fertilizer and he has encouraged them to put more efforts in the farms and not sale the inputs for quick money and suffer later.

Government introduced the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) in order to help farmers to be food secured and enhance agriculture productivity in the country.