By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, November 28, Mana: Some subsistence farmers in Dowa have applauded the Affordable farm Input Program (AIP) saying it has helped in promoting food security amongst the less privileged households.

One of the farmers, Anne Chikhasu from Chileka village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Chiwere said, most poor households dream of achieving food security through small-scale subsistence farming. She however added that they face challenges due to high market prices of farm inputs.

"For example, without fertilizer, I normally get far less than ten bags on a one acre field, which is not enough to feed my family for the whole year. That means continued cycles of food shortages," she said.

She said now she has been given hope through AIP, where less privileged households are enrolled to access farm inputs at a subsidized price.

Chikhasu who has already purchased two bags of fertilizer at K15,000 each, said this will help her in securing food for her family.

"Thanks to AIP, I have bought one bag of UREA and one bag of NPK. With good rains, I can be assured of harvesting around 30 bags which will be of huge significance in attaining food security for my family until the next growing season.

"As such I am very grateful to have been considered to be included under the program this year because I did not have any hope of sourcing farm inputs," she said.

She however urged government to increase the number of beneficiaries so that the program also reaches more other less privileged households.

Maxwell Mgabi of Kaliba village in T/A Nsakambewa who has also purchased two bags under AIP this year, concurred with Chikhasu saying the program is providing an opportunity for the less privileged to feed themselves.

"But I would like to urge beneficiaries not to sale the farm inputs. Also, that the program strictly targets those who really need assistance because there are many who work hard, but cannot afford the farm inputs on their own," he said.

Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for Dowa Chikumbutso Liwonde, in an interview said the program has started on a good note in the district.

“The program has started well and markets have opened in all selling points, and they have been stocked with both NPK and UREA. Currently we are prioritizing hard to reach areas to minimize logistical issues as the rainy season progresses and rains intensify.

“In the district this year, we have 75,298 beneficiaries under the program. And many of them are excited that the fertilizer prices have been maintained at MK15,000 per 50-kilogram bag," he said.

He added that each constituency in the district has at least two AIP selling points strategically placed, for beneficiaries not to travel very long distances to redeem the inputs.

Chairperson for Dowa District Council Institution Integrity Committee Amigo Wiseman, said as a committee that is tasked to oversee issues of integrity, they are conducting monitoring visits to AIP selling points.

He said their role is to monitor if sales and all procedures at all selling points are being done in accordance with government stipulated guidelines.

“So, during monitoring, we are looking at the availability of farm inputs, checking the availability of all necessary documents like receipts, personnel, and observing the buying processes. 

“As of now, we have seen that availability of fertilizer is quite good, the fertilizer is coming in different consignments and farmers are able to buy,” he said.

He however stressed of the need to strengthen security in all selling points to protect both the beneficiaries and traders, and also the farm inputs.

By Yamikani Sabola

Mzuzu, November 28, Mana: Deputy Director of Technology and Standards for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), Nicholas Kanyenda says the Authority has developed regulations empowering it to block entry of all substandard electronic gadgets into the country.

Kanyenda was speaking during an awareness meeting with journalists and other stakeholders in Mzuzu on Thursday.

He said the guidelines, which are being called Type Approval Regulations, are expected to come into effect on December 1, 2024.

Kanyenda said the regulations are aimed at ensuring that consumers in the country are buying electronic devices including information communication technology (ICT) equipment that is safe to use and that derives value for money.   

“ICT is one of the fastest growing industries in the world with the emergence of several technologies and innovations.

“These technologies and innovations that are coming into play are also coming in with various challenges and one of the challenges they come with is substandard and counterfeit electronic equipment and gadgets,” Kanyenda said.

He said the Authority observes with regret that a lot of electronic equipment entering the country through various borders are not meeting international standards.

“These substandard products pose a huge threat to the economy and safety of the people in the country. Consumers of ICT services have a right to be protected from dangerous products.

“It is in light of this that the authority has developed these Type Approval Regulations to ensure that all ICT equipment that is used in the country is of applicable and accepted standards,” he said.

He said once Type Approval Regulations come into force, all certified ICT equipment including phones, laptops and tablets will bear a sticker from MACRA.  

One of the participants, Alexander Mhango from Radio Dinosaur hailed the regulations, as they would give MACRA powers to assess the quality and safety of electronic equipment before they can be sold in the country.

“This will give confidence to the people of Malawi that whatever devices they are using are of good quality, are safe and can perform the intended task,” Mhango said.

He said the regulations were long overdue, noting that some ICT equipment sold in the country is substandard and many people have lost money through buying defective equipment.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, November 28, Mana: Affordable Input Programme (AIP) beneficiaries in Rumphi have hailed the programme for enhancing food security in their households.

In an interview on Wednesday one of the beneficiaries, Evelyn Nyirongo from Kavuli Village in Senior Chief Mwahenga said she is happy that she has bought a bag of NPK and is looking forward to harvesting enough food for her family of nine.

"I have benefited for the first time and I am really grateful that I have bought my first of the two bags of NPK and Urea at K15000.  I have a big family which consumes an entire bag of maize in just under three weeks. That's not easy for a poor family like ours. 

"This programme is very empowering for the poor who cannot afford to buy fertilizers from their own pockets. Now we will be able grow enough maize for our family," said Nyirongo.

Another beneficiary, Aaron Nyirongo from Chanda Village in Senior Chief Mwahenga says he is just waiting for his turn to buy since his area has received the inputs.

He added in the 2023/24 farming season he also benefited from the programme and harvested 17 bags of maize and has enough to take his family of four to the next harvest season.

On his part, Traditional Authority Kachulu said AIP beneficiaries in his area are accessing fertilizers without challenges.

He also warned his people not to sale the farm inputs in order for them to harvest enough food for their families.

AIP Coordinator for Rumphi, Victoria Munthali says as of Monday, 25 November beneficiaries in the district have redeemed 57 percent of fertilizers and of that fertilizer there is at least 14 percent of Urea.

About 18,000 people  will benefit from the programme in Rumphi in 2024/2025 farming season.

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.

By Mana Reporter

Zomba, November 27, Mana: The 2024/25 Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) has raised hope for many smallholder farmers in Zomba, promising improved food security and economic stability for farming households.

For Zione Hassan, a 32-year-old single mother of two, this year’s AIP marks a turning point. After years of poor harvests caused by limited access to essential inputs, Zione finally received fertilizer and seeds through the initiative. The program, aimed at over 1.1 million beneficiaries nationwide, is designed to help farmers improve yields and break the cycle of hunger.

"With the fertilizer and seeds, I am hopeful that my harvests will improve, and I can provide for my children’s education. In the long run, I want to grow my income through agribusiness to afford to pay for their school fees," she says, adding that feeding her children well and educating them is her top priority. 

The story is similar for Charles Likoya, another Zomba-based AIP beneficiary, who previously struggled to harvest enough yield due to lack of affordable fertilizers. This development had severe consequences for his family of seven, leading to food insecurity in previous seasons. Now, Likoya is optimistic about the future. 

"With the fertilizer I bought through AIP, I expect a better harvest this season. I hope this will mean more food for my family and an end to the hunger we experienced last year," he says.

For 64-year-old Lydia Ntaja, the AIP has been a lifeline, helping her take care of her two grandchildren whose mother works as a housemaid outside town and only sends home a small portion of her earnings to support the household.

Consequently, Ntaja often rented out part of her farmland for MK15,000 a month just to survive. However, this income was insufficient to afford commercial fertilizers, leading to poor yields. But now with the government covering most of the input costs through AIP, she managed to purchase two bags of fertilizer using her savings and part of the proceeds from her daughter. 

"This program has eased my burden. I believe I will now be able to harvest enough to feed my family and maybe even sell a little to earn some money," she says.

Zomba AIP Coordinator, Limbani Thangata, discloses that the district has 35,174 beneficiaries in this year’s programmes. He also highlights the 2024/25 AIP’s potential to improve food security in the district. 

"This programme is crucial for addressing food insecurity and poverty. That is why we are urging beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and avoid selling them to ensure the programme achieves its intended impact," he says.

Senior Chief Malemia concurs with Thangata but stresses the need for expansion and complementary measures to strengthen this year’s AIP impact.

"The government should increase the number of beneficiaries. Other players such as One Acre Fund should also complement these efforts by increasing the reach of their seed and fertiliser input loan programme. We’ve seen how their support helps farmers overcome hunger and grow economically," he advises.

The senior chief also encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers such as manure as a cost-effective alternative besides other sustainable practices.

According to Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator for Malosa, Stanslous Minjolo, organic fertilisers can help farmers whose fields have sandy-loam soils that lose nutrients easily.

“Such soils do not hold water so, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers can significantly boost crop yields," he explains.

With more beneficiaries expressing hope in this year’s AIP programme, farmers in Zomba are also looking forward to better harvests as they prepare for the 2024/25 growing season.

By Leah Malimbasa

Blantyre, 27 November, Mana: Farmers and fertilizer distributors at Lirangwe Trading Centre in Blantyre have said the updated Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) system has helped to curb unscrupulous traders that previously exploited the programme by posing as beneficiaries. 

Speaking to Mana on Wednesday, Sautso Mustafa, a farmer from Chapasuka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chigaru in Blantyre, said in the past it was easy for vendors to infiltrate the system, a move that deprived many genuine beneficiaries. 

“The vendors had their ways of buying the subsidized farm inputs using the National Identity Cards (IDs) at the expense of legitimate poor farmers,” she said.

Freen Masiye, who is also a smallholder farmer, agrees with Mustafa that the system is good because it deters misuse.

According to Lirangwe Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Outlet Sales Officer, Lexa Makina, the new system has simplified their work and increased accountability.  

"We now verify every beneficiary through their details before selling the fertilizer to ensure that the subsidized inputs go to the intended beneficiaries, not vendors," adds Makina. 

Some farmers and distributors also said the AIP’s tighter controls have restored confidence in its ability to support smallholder farmers, but urged authorities to address network glitches that sometimes cause delays in purchasing the fertilizer at some selling points.