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.