By Emily M'mangisa                                                                                                                      

Zomba, December 19, Mana: National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) on Wednesday distributed bags of fertilizer to 148 farmers from farmers clubs in Zomba on loan as a way of supporting those who could not afford to buy fertilizer.

Speaking during fertilizer distribution at NEEF office in Zomba, NEEF Supervisor responsible for Zomba North, Hastings Thondolo, disclosed that his office had 236 applicants in total, saying all will get the farm inputs.

Thodolo said NEEF decided to give farmers farm inputs other than the actual cash to ensure the purpose and goal is achieved.

"We didn’t want our farmers to spend money meant for fertilizer. Experience is that most farmers failed to buy fertilizer despite getting the loans.” he added.

He however said NEEF had not wholesomely abandoned giving out loans in the form of cash despite the experience.

Zione Jakison, a farmer from Jawuma Village, Traditional Authority Malemia thanked government for providing the fertilizer through NEEF loan.

The fertilizer loan recipient said the farm inputs came at the right time as some parts of the district had just received enough rain for planting.

“I am running out of words, this initiative is a big salvation to me. Honestly, government has solved my worries,” she said,

Emmanuel Kalimao from Chilema Men's farm club was delighted after collecting his four bags of NPK fertilizer.

“I am waiting to get the other four for UREA next week; I am getting eight bags all together. I thank government for this initiative. Honestly, I was hopeless," he said.

Farmer clubs are eligible to get fertilizer loans up to K30 million for NPK and UREA, according to NEEF.