By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 14, Mana: Minister of Information Moses Kunkuyu has expressed satisfaction with the successes National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) has made so far.

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch of fertilizer distribution at Thunder in Zomba, Kunkuyu said since the establishment of the fund, over 200,000 Malawians have benefited through various projects.

The minister said NEEF has, among others, provided financial support to Malawians to establish small scale businesses as a way of improving their well-being.

"NEEF was established in 2020 and over the years, we have seen how Malawians have benefited from it. This is why government finds it necessary to provide more financial support so that more Malawians are reached out," he said.

On the fertilizer loan project, the minister said it is the wish of the government to ensure that the country is food secure.

He said most farmers in the country have difficulties in acquiring farming material, a situation that affects their agricultural produce.

"Go and make use of the fertilizer so that the country has enough food. This initiative will continue and reach out to more farmers," Kunkuyu said.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni said since the launch of fertilizer distribution, over 40,000 farmers have benefited from the programme and that over K32 billion has been spent.

Mdyetseni said following the presidential directive that more farmers are reached out, his organization is fully committed to ensure all districts benefit, regardless of region or political affiliation.

He said through the loan, Malawi stands a chance to produce more food, end poverty and spur economic activities.

The CEO has since appealed to the programme's beneficiaries to desist from selling the fertilizer, as that would be against the purpose of the initiative.

"We will follow you up and ensure that the fertilizer has been applied in farms.  Should we discover that someone has sold the fertilizer, we will arrest them and entirely close the group," he warned.

Senior Chief Mlumbe hailed government for the programme, observing that many farmers in the country have land to cultivate but fertilizer is the major challenge.

About 789 farmers are expected to benefit from the fertilizer loan programme in Zomba.