By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, August 16, Mana: Farmers in the area of Senior Chief Mlolo in Nsanje have expressed satisfaction after government provided them with loans through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to improve on agricultural production.

Area Agriculture Stakeholders Panel Chairperson, James Khisimisi told Malawi News Agency on Thursday that for a long time farmers have been struggling to harvest enough due to a lack of agricultural inputs such as seed and farm equipment necessary for irrigation.

“We have bought water pumps for irrigation farming. We have also bought original seeds from well-known agro-dealers,” he added.

Khisimisi said most farmers used to buy poor-quality seeds at on market adding that the farmers were tempted by low seed prices.

He explained that farmers were delighted with the loan and looked forward to buy original seed that assures high yield.

Nsanje North legislator, Enock Chizuzu said NEEF loan will empower farmers in the area to produce more for consumption and for sale.

“We are a hard-working community but we fail to produce more due to lack of resources,” he added, and was hopeful that majority of farmers in the irrigation schemes within Nsanje North constituency received the loan.

Chizuzu further hailed President Lazurus Chakwera's administration for putting much effort into agricultural production, saying this was a crucial area within Malawi 2063 development agenda.

He therefore advised the farming community to use the loan for the intended purpose and encouraged them to pay back the loan.

NEEF Field Officer, Stevie Chavi said NEEF disbursed loans amounting to MK169 million to farmers in the area of Traditional Authority Mlolo only.