By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 15, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has advised farmers in the country to take farming seriously and grow crops throughout the year to ensure sufficient food production for the country to achieve food security.

Kawale made the appeal on Tuesday at Chinamwali in Zomba during the fertilizer distribution by National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).

He said the goal of the current government is to transform the agriculture sector by making sure that farmers move from subsistence to commercial farming to end hunger completely.

However, Kawale, said this goal can be achieved only when farmers engage in farming all year round.

“As government, we will make sure that we support farmers by providing them with agriculture inputs. Our appeal is that farmers should cultivate the culture of growing crops all year round,” said Kawale.

He said government will continue exploring various interventions and implement reforms that would enhance agriculture in the country.

“Many of the things we tried didn't work and we expect that through fertilizer loans by NEEF, the country should be able to produce sufficient food,” he said.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni, said it is his organization's intention to support almost all farmers in the country.

NEEF has already reached out to over 400,000 farmers with fertilizer loan programme.

Senior Chief Malemia said through the programme, the country stands a chance to achieve food security.

One of the beneficiaries, Francis Misomali, described the programme as a game changer and viable solution to ending hunger in Malawi.

NEEF has embarked on countrywide fertilizer loan programme to enable farmer’s access fertilizer through loan for food crop production.