By Wanangwa Tembo

Kasungu, November 27, Mana: Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resource at Kasungu District Council, Evelyn Chima says changes that government has effected in the implementation of the Agriculture Inputs Programme (AIP) have helped to tighten security, ensuring that only targeted households benefit from the initiative.

Among others, this year’s redemption process requires a facial scanning of the beneficiaries, effectively cutting off vendors who used to buy the inputs from beneficiaries in the previous years.

“We used to complain that inputs were missing in the beneficiaries’ allocations and that vendors were redeeming the inputs after buying the IDs from beneficiaries.

“This time, those things are not there because the facial features required have sieved out all the vendors. It’s a feature we have always been asking and we are happy that it has been done,” she said in an interview on Wednesday in Kasungu.

Kasungu District has a total of 63 249 beneficiaries in the 2024/25 AIP programme.

Asked on the progress so far, Chima said the redemption exercise started immediately after the programme was officially launched hence many farmers have accessed the fertiliser in good time.

“For Kasungu, the growing season starts mid-November, all the way to early December. The selling of inputs started in October meaning many households have accessed fertilisers in good time.

“As of November 20, redemption was at 31 percent. This is good progress and an improvement if compared to last year and I hope by this time the figures have significantly improved,” she said.

At least 20, 000 bags of NPK and about 7, 000 bags of Urea have been redeemed, with figures expected to rise exponentially as rains begin this November end when many farmers are expected to start planting.

“We agreed to start deliveries in hard to reach areas so that when rains begin, we should not have challenges as some roads become impassable.

“This explains why some areas have lower redemption rates than others. But in some constituencies, redemption rate is as high as 46 percent, giving hope that many people will have accessed the inputs as the month ends,” Chima said.

Senior Chief Chidzuma lamented the reduction in the number of beneficiaries from about 91 000 to 63 249 this year, calling on government to consider raising the numbers.

“The good thing is fertiliser is available. We have fertiliser in the depots but we have two challenges.

“Firstly, the numbers of beneficiaries have been reduced. We would have loved if we had more added. Secondly, there are network glitches which affect the redeeming process. We also appeal to those responsible to fix this challenge,” he said

Chidzuma added there are some confusions in some cases where names of beneficiaries appear in a wrong constituency hence the household cannot redeem the inputs.

“We brought this issue to the attention of authorities. We were promised that they will work on it. Nevertheless, we are thankful to government for this programme,” he said.

Chairperson for Chakhala Village Development Committee in the area of Senior Chief Njombwa under Lisasazi Extension Planning Area (EPA), mike Mdambo echoed Njombwa’s sentiments on the need to work on the names that appear in wrong constituencies.

A beneficiary under Chulu EPA, Elina Banda expressed gratitude to government for ensuring early availability of fertilisers, saying accessing inputs in good time contributes to yielding good harvest.  

At least 1.1 million households are expected to benefit from this year’s AIP funded to the tune of K161 billion.

By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, November 27, Mana: Community members benefiting from Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) in Mzimba North have hailed government for making the inputs accessible in time this year.

Random interviews with beneficiaries who were caught getting the inputs in some of the district’s satellite centers, revealed that even though rains are yet to come, they have already gotten their inputs, a development they say will help increase productivity.

“You may be aware that due to climate change, rainfall patterns are unpredictable hence it is very important that farmers should have their inputs readily available to plant with first rains.

“Now that government has made these inputs available in time, we are assured of bumper harvests,” said Amon Jere, a farmer from Jolowale in the district.

Another beneficiary, Jessie Honde from Ekwaiweni concurred with Jere adding that she is optimistic that this year, she will have greater yield.

“As I am talking to you, my farm has already been tilled and as soon as rains come, I will plant and I have no worries about delaying to apply fertilizer,” said the 54-year-old widow who is benefiting for the third time.

Group Village Headman Charles Mhango whose area is under Traditional Authority Mtwalo appreciated government for continuing with this program as many beneficiaries would never have managed to get the inputs at the normal market price.

“We are grateful that this year again, government has implemented the program because without it, many households especially those who are widowed, old and with disabilities would be hit by hunger.

“But thanks to this program, they are able to grow food for themselves and their families,” he said.

Crops Officer for Mzimba North Agriculture Office Mwiza Munthali concurred with the beneficiaries saying the distribution exercise in the district is going smoothly and that timely access to the inputs will help maximize production.

“Timely access of the inputs means farmers will be ready when the rains came, and for crops like groundnuts which rely on the rains, production will increase since farmers will have all necessary inputs when the rains come.

“At the same time, most areas in the district become impassable once the rains come making it hard for farmers to travel to get the inputs. But the timely distribution means by the time rains are coming, they have already gotten their inputs,” said Munthali.

While noting that with the way everything is going on now, there is higher chance that this farming season production will be high, Munthali assured all stakeholders on the ground to have access to the inputs.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, November 27, Mana: Farmers benefiting from the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) in Salima district have commended timely distribution of farming inputs before commencement of steady planting rains in the district.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, a beneficiary from Nthiwatiwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalonga, Brown Kapoloma said he has redeemed two bags of fertilizer enough for his yield to do well and accord him a good harvest.

The father of 5 said he is optimistic that with the two bags of fertilizer he has received, his family will be food secured as his biggest challenge was farm inputs especially fertilizer.

"Receiving two bags of fertilizer for growth and maturing of my maize means I will not be troubled this farming season. My role will be to ensure that my field is free from weeds and being optimistic that we will have good rains," he said.

Kapoloma said he has made compost manure which will supplement the fertilizer he has received because adding enough nutrients to his field will guarantee him good yields.

Another beneficiary from Group Village Headman Daniel, Sakinna White said she has bought the affordable inputs on time a development she has described as lifesaving because her field was already ploughed and tilled awaiting planting.

"I believe in planting on time and applying fertilizer in good time for me to have good yields therefore once the first rains come I will plant my maize seeds, this will help me to have a bumper harvest because in the past years we used to receive inputs as late as December," she said.

A beneficiary from the area of Traditional Authority Maganga, Hannifa Mustafa said this is her first to be included amongst beneficiaries of AIP.

Mustafa expressed optimism that with the inputs she has affordably redeemed hunger will be alleviated in her household.

According to Principal Agriculture Officer for Salima Agriculture Office Reuben Banda, said 29,688 beneficiaries have been targeted to benefit from the programme.

"I can confirm that in all the 12 Traditional Authorities in the district the inputs are being sold, all the selling points are having stocks of inputs from time to time, we are estimating that by mid-December all our targeted beneficiaries will have received their inputs," he said.

He however mentioned that some unscrupulous sellers are managing to maneuver the system and sell inputs without the knowledge of beneficiaries, he was quick to mention that police have been involved in the such matters and some people have been brought to book.

"Challenges are inevitable in this programme the advantage is that these challenges are being reported and rectified within the quickest of time, we have also been facing network challenges in some areas but this is just minor because network is being restored quickly," he said.

On her part Traditional Authority Maganga, hailed the programme for its efforts to alleviate hunger in her area by pointing out that beneficiaries of programme are buying inputs in her area without many challenges.

"It is pleasing to note that beneficiaries are redeeming their inputs on time because we have not received serious rains warranting planting of maize, therefore I can confidently say that the programme is on course in my area," she said.

Beneficiaries under AIP are redeeming inputs at K15,000 and are also redeeming maize seed, the AIP aims to provide affordable fertilizers and agricultural resources to farmers capable of cultivating enough food.

By Leah Malimbasa

Zomba, November 26, Mana: Farmers in Zomba District have expressed gratitude to government for the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), which has enabled them to purchase fertilizer and other essential farming supplies at subsidized prices. 

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Kelise Kuloweka, who is one of the farmers from Magwira Village, Traditional Authority(TA) Malemia, said the program has eased her financial burden during this planting season. 

“I have bought my fertilizer at MK15, 000 per bag. I can now prepare my field on time without worrying about fertilizer,” she said. 

Another farmer, Charles Likoya from Mpasye Village, TA Malemia, said he is optimistic that this season he will at least triple the yields he normally gets from his two-hectare maize field.

“This fertilizer will help my family achieve food security. Despite irrigating my field, it was still difficult to harvest enough due to the soil’s infertility,” he said.

He added that it is unfortunate that some farmers sell their affordable inputs to vendors.

“Government has done its part by subsidizing the inputs and it is our responsibility to utilize the inputs for its intended use,” said Likoya.

According to AIP Coordinator for Zomba, Limbani Thangata, the district has 35,174 beneficiaries in this year’s program.

“This program is crucial for addressing food insecurity and poverty, that’s why we are urging beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and avoid selling them to ensure the program achieves its intended impact,” said Thangata.

By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, November 26, Mana, The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has confirmed the arrival of relief maize at the Liwonde Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) depot.

The move is part of the 2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Program (LS-FIRP) aimed at improving distribution efficiency and cutting costs.

Speaking during an interview, DoDMA’s Director of Disaster Preparedness, Moses Chimphepo, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that maize supplies are closer to communities in need, particularly in the Eastern Region.

“We’ll begin with Mangochi because people in Balaka and Machinga have already started receiving distributions, Mangochi is the remaining district in the Eastern Region and by the end of this week, and trucks will begin delivering maize there.” Chimphepo explained.

Chimphepo also revealed that 1,200 metric tons of maize have been transported via rail so far, out of the 4,000 metric tons expected. The department aims to complete deliveries by December.

The decision to use rail transport has been praised for its cost-effectiveness and safety. Daniel Zanda, Warehousing and Logistics Supervisor at Liwonde ADMARC, explained that rail transport allows for faster and larger deliveries.

“For instance, one wagon carries 800 bags, or about 40 tons. Offloading 10 wagons delivers 400 metric tons at once, making it very efficient,” Zanda said.

The District Commissioner for Machinga, Rodrick Mateauma, expressed gratitude for the relief efforts.

He noted that his district has been receiving maize since October and that the additional deliveries will help expand support to underserved communities.

“This initiative has come at the right time,” Mateauma said. “The maize will help us reach those we missed in October while also supporting November’s beneficiaries.”

The ongoing maize delivery initiative highlights the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and ensuring timely support for vulnerable communities as the lean season progresses.