By Rose Cross Mahorya and George Bulombola

Mzuzu, January 28, Mana:  Senior Chief Mpherembe of Mzimba District has applauded government for increasing access to farm inputs through the provision of farm inputs, especially fertilizer, on loan which is provided by National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to smallholder farmers across the country.

Speaking Monday during a distribution exercise of 400 bags of fertilizer worth K42.2 million at his headquarters, Senior Chief Mpherembe said the agriculture loan facility has inspired households in his area to venture into large scale farming.

He said that the initiative will go a long way in averting food insecurity hence enhancing development in rural areas.

“Previously, most households were doing their farming on small parcels of land because they could not afford to buy fertilizer. Now, we are seeing more people expanding their farming areas because they have access to this loan.

 “We are therefore optimistic that with this intervention, food insecurity will be history in this area,” said Mpherembe.

He then advised those who have benefited from the facility to use the fertilizer prudently so that they realize bumper yield out of which they can sell the surplus to pay back the loan.

“May I ask NEEF to consider processing the loans in time so that people can get the inputs on time before rainy season approaches,” he said.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Benedicto Chambo, who presided over the ceremony, said government has put in place various strategies in ensuring food security.

“We are promoting Mega Farm initiative, we also have Agriculture Input Program and this one, through which smallholder farmers are provided with farm inputs on loan through NEEF,” said Chambo.

One of the clients who has benefited from the loan facility, Lisa Chasiya Mbewa, who got K12 million worth of fertilizer for her 24 hectares of maize farm land, said that access to agricultural inputs is hard in the area hence commended NEEF for taking the fertilizers to their door step.

 “By bringing the inputs to our area, they have cut down transport costs which we would have incurred if we were to get the fertilizer from elsewhere, such as Mzuzu and Rumphi as we do not have many agricultural dealers in our area,” said Mbewa.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni assured people in the area that NEEF will make sure that the loans are provide just before the commencement of farming season for maximum utilization of the inputs.