By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, February 1, Mana: Government has directed that one National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) staff be housed at Extension Planning Areas (EPAs) for smooth implementation of the Farm Input Loan Programme.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Benedicto Chambo made the directive on Friday in Chitipa District during the closing of the national launch of the programme.

Chambo said it is difficult for farmers to travel long distances to access NEEF products especially the Farm Input Loan Programme popularly known as Fertilizer loan.

“The Director of Agriculture for Chitipa should provide one room for NEEF staff at EPA office for smooth implementation of the programme,” Chambo said.

He then asked farmer beneficiaries to use the fertilizer for the intended purpose, advising that part of  the fertilizer can  also be used for winter cropping.

NEEF Chief Executive Officer, Humphrey Mdyetseni acknowledged the delay in the distribution of the fertilizer but said this year's distribution will start in September.

Senior Chief Mwabulambya thanked the Government for introducing the initiative which he said is unique and need to be promoted.

“The Farm Input Loan Programme is better than Agriculture Input Programme (AIP), we need to promote it because it is a unique programme,” he said.

Mercy Mughogho, Chairperson for Alinafe Namasasa Women Group in Senior Chief Mwabulambya, thanked National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), for the programme which she said has come at the right time when rains have just started.

Mughogho said her group will grow maize on a 14 acres’ land and will use the 25 bags of fertilizer which the groups had received.

“We applied for the farm input loan because we have land with little resources. With the coming of this programme we have been assisted and we are going to use the fertilizer for the intended purpose. We want to contribute to ending hunger in the country and empower ourselves economically,” Mughogho said.