By Evance Chisiano

Chiradzulu, November 28, Mana:  A grouping of people from Namitambo in Chiradzulu called Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust on Thursday organised a career talk at Namadidi and Muhasuwa Community Day Secondary Schools in the district to give proper career guide to students.

Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust National Coordinator, Pacharo Namatumbo said the career talk was part of the trust’s school outreach programmes that are also meant to motivate students to aim higher in their education.

Zakwathu Ku Namitambo which has members in many parts of Malawi, started in 2017 as a WhatsApp group of people from Namitambo before it got registered as a trust in 2021, prompting the entity to offer bursary to needy students from schools at Namitambo area.

“We started small but we’re growing big to do more for this area. We provided bursary to needy students. We also planted trees in three primary schools here at Namitambo in the previous forestry season,” the National Coordinator added.

During the career talk, Nursing and midwifery technician, a police officer, journalist and a teacher provided career guide to the students at Namadidi and Muhasuwa secondary schools where the interaction enabled the students to learn more about the professions.

He said Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust will continue to motivate students in the area to see children in the area succeed in secondary and tertiary education.

The trust also gave out MK20, 000 to each of four best students at Namadidi and MK10, 000 to each of eight best students at Muhasuwa to motivate them further.

A form 1 student at Namadidi CDSS, Maureen Kachingwe said was grateful for being recognised as best performing student in her class, saying this was a great recognition and honour.

Namadidi CDSS Head Teacher, Mavuto Kachingwe hailed Zakwathu Ku Namitambo Trust for organizing the career talk which he said was ideal for the students at Namitambo and called on the trust to keep on providing career guidance to students to motivate them further.

“Give us the energy, we will not be the same. You are a friend in need, you’re a true partner,” the head teacher added.

Namadidi CDSS has an enrollment of 195 students.

Muhasuwa CDSS Deputy Head Teacher, Mercy Macheza also thanked the trust for organising the career talk to students, noting the talk provided enough guidance and also provided motivation to the students.

Muhasuwa CDSS has 400 students in the mainstream and 250 students in the open section.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, November 29, Mana: Beneficiaries of Affordable Input Program (AIP) in Machinga have described the initiative as the best approach that government has used to bail its people from poor harvest and food insecurity.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Thursday, a 46 years old beneficiary from Traditional Authority Sitola, Damson Baton said he is pleased with the program saying it has reduced chances of poor harvest which he mostly faces as a result of poor crop nutrition due to lack of fertilizer.

Damson said he possess a very big land and buying fertilizer to much up the whole land was very difficult considering the prices of the commodity.

"The programe has seriously come as a savior considering that we are living in a time where most prices of goods have gone very high. I have a very big land and I always come with very low outputs despite my efforts.

"But with the AIP, it’s a sigh of relief knowing I stand a chance of having more harvest this season,” he said.

William Magombe is another beneficiary from Poteya village who has also hailed government for the AIP saying he will be able to produce more harvests and avert hunger this coming year.

Magombe said being one of the beneficiaries; he will utilize the opportunity in investing in farming so that he could produce more, to differentiate himself from those who have not had the opportunity.

"I will surely use the opportunity that I have for being in the programme. All I need is to use it in doing more in farming this year so that I should produce more harvest,” he said.

Machinga district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources (DAENR), Isaac Alli, said he is happy to see beneficiaries having great plans for the inputs they are getting.

"I will be very happy if these farmers use the inputs to improve their lives. I do not expect them to sell the inputs instead of applying them to their fields," he said, urging all beneficiaries to seize the opportunity and use the fertilizer on their own land.

Machinga has 27, 697 beneficiaries who are expected to benefit from the program.

According to Ali, the distribution of AIP to beneficiaries began in hard-to-reach areas, especially given the challenges of the rainy season. As a result, Ngokwe, Chikweo, Nampeya, Nayuchi, and Sale were prioritized, and bags of fertilizer have already arrived in these locations, where beneficiaries have begun purchasing them.

By Leah Malimbasa

Mulanje, 28 November, Mana: The Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Mulanje District Osmound Chapotoka has advised farmers benefitting from the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) to refrain from selling their subsidized inputs.

Speaking on Thursday, Chapotoka emphasized the importance of using the fertilizer as intended, to improve household food security and boost agricultural productivity.

“Farmers should prioritize their crops, the subsidized fertilizer can ensure better harvests and reduce reliance on food aid,” he said.

He added that if well managed, just one hectare of land can produce 100 bags of maize, ensuring the farmer has enough maize for food and sell some for their other basic needs.

The call resonated with farmers who pledged to make the most of the inputs. One of the farmers from Kumwambe village, Traditional Authority (TA) Mabuka in Mulanje who was not a beneficiary last year, shared her optimism about the program.

"Last year, I was not on the list of beneficiaries, and I only managed to harvest six bags of maize. This year, I am hopeful I will yield more because I have bought the subsidized fertilizer and plan to use it well," she said.

Another farmer from Wasi Village, TA Mabuka, Dorothy Mazima recounted her struggles in the last growing season, which were compounded by dry spells and an army worm infestation.

"I didn’t have fertilizer last year and only harvested one bag of maize to feed my family of five. Now, we rely on my husband doing piecework to buy food. I am hopeful the fertilizer I’ve bought through AIP will improve food security for my household this season," she explained.

AIP is a government initiative which provides subsidized fertilizer and seeds to smallholder farmers to enhance food production across the country.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, November 28, MANA: Authorities in Balaka District have commended government for rolling out 2024/2025 Affordable Input Programme (AIP), expressing hope that farmers will harvest more yields this farming season.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency, one of the farmers from the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Kachenga, Yamikani Matope expressed gratitude for being enrolled on the programme citing that previously he could not harvest more yields because of limited fertilizer.

"Last year, I used manure for my farming and I only got five bags but with the fertilizer that I will use this year, I am optimistic to harvest nine to ten bags.

"I am grateful to government because my life will change and I would urge the same government to enroll more people in the upcoming season so that hunger should be history in our area," he added.

Commenting on the development, Group Village Head (GVH) Mtumbwe said the programme will cushion hunger in his area as many people who are on the programme would not manage to afford fertilizers from the vendors.

"A good number of people have benefitted from AIP and we just urge the government to speed up and finalize the process of selling the commodity because people have already planted their crops," he said.

G.H.V Mtumbwe however called for government to streamline the system of enrolling the beneficiaries by involving local leaders and extension workers saying this would eliminate some of the shortfalls within the programme.

Meanwhile, Smallholder Farmers Fertilizers Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Sales Clerk for Balaka Boma, Frank Maselenga said the cordial relationship among their entity, local leaders, district agriculture office and the central government has allowed the process of selling fertilizer to be successful.

He emphasized that from the three stocks that they had previously at Balaka Boma, farmers were able to purchase both NPK and Urea.

By George Mponda

Karonga, November 28, Mana: Small scale farmers in Karonga have hailed the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) for improving food security in the disaster prone district.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency, Kingsley Mweniyuba from Zindi Village in Paramount Cheif Kyungu's area, said the initiative has made high-quality fertilizers affordable and accessible, leading to increased crop yields and improved livelihoods.

"Most farmers in our area have long struggled with low soil fertility due to annual floods which has hindered our ability to produce sufficient crops. However, with the subsidy program, we are purchasing fertilizer at a significantly reduced cost, enabling us to rejuvenate our soil and reap bountiful harvests," said Mweniyuba.

Echoing these sentiments, Mary Mhone, another beneficiary from Mwenilondo said the impact of the programme has been remarkable, with many farmers reporting a significant increase in crop yields and quality.

"This, in turn, has led to improved food security and increased income for farming families, enabling them to invest in their future. Women farmers, in particular, have benefited from the program, as they are often responsible for managing household food security and with access to affordable fertilizers, they are now able to produce more and better food for their families," Mhango said.

Director of Agriculture Services for Karonga District Council, Yaz Nyirenda hailed the fertilizer subsidy program for having a positive ripple effect on local economies.

"10, 333 farming families are to benefit from this programme in Karonga from all six constituencies namely; Karonga Songwe, Karonga Lufilya, Karonga Town, Karonga Central, Karonga Nyungwe and Karonga South," said Nyirenda.

"With farmers producing more and earning more, they are able to stimulate economic growth and development in their communities. Moreover, the program has promoted sustainable agricultural practices, as farmers are now able to adopt climate-smart farming methods and reduce their environmental footprint," he added.

According to Nyirenda, 5, 747 farm families were food insecure in the district and the fertilizer subsidy program has been a resounding success, empowering farmers to boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Group Village Head Malema has since hailed government for providing the fertiliser which he said has come in time as people await the rain season.

"My only worry is that although the fertiliser is available at the selling points, some still do not have the money with which to redeem their fertiliser," said Malema.

This year's AIP which is set to benefit over 1.1 million farmers countrywide was launched by President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera at Dzundu Primary School Ground, under the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Symon at Zalewa in Neno District.

Speaking with Malawi News Agency, Kingsley Mweniyuba from Zindi Village in Paramount Cheif Kyungu's area, said the initiative has made high-quality fertilizers affordable and accessible, leading to increased crop yields and improved livelihoods.

"Most farmers in our area have long struggled with low soil fertility due to annual floods which has hindered our ability to produce sufficient crops. However, with the subsidy program, we are purchasing fertilizer at a significantly reduced cost, enabling us to rejuvenate our soil and reap bountiful harvests," said Mweniyuba.

Echoing these sentiments, Mary Mhone, another beneficiary from Mwenilondo said the impact of the programme has been remarkable, with many farmers reporting a significant increase in crop yields and quality.

"This, in turn, has led to improved food security and increased income for farming families, enabling them to invest in their future. Women farmers, in particular, have benefited from the program, as they are often responsible for managing household food security and with access to affordable fertilizers, they are now able to produce more and better food for their families," Mhango said.

Director of Agriculture Services for Karonga District Council, Yaz Nyirenda hailed the fertilizer subsidy program for having a positive ripple effect on local economies.

"10, 333 farming families are to benefit from this programme in Karonga from all six constituencies namely; Karonga Songwe, Karonga Lufilya, Karonga Town, Karonga Central, Karonga Nyungwe and Karonga South," said Nyirenda.

"With farmers producing more and earning more, they are able to stimulate economic growth and development in their communities. Moreover, the program has promoted sustainable agricultural practices, as farmers are now able to adopt climate-smart farming methods and reduce their environmental footprint," he added.

According to Nyirenda, 5, 747 farm families were food insecure in the district and the fertilizer subsidy program has been a resounding success, empowering farmers to boost productivity, improve livelihoods, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Group Village Head Malema has since hailed government for providing the fertiliser which he said has come in time as people await the rain season.

"My only worry is that although the fertiliser is available at the selling points, some still do not have the money with which to redeem their fertiliser," said Malema.

This year's AIP which is set to benefit over 1.1 million farmers countrywide was launched by President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera at Dzundu Primary School Ground, under the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Symon at Zalewa in Neno District.

 By Alinafe kapatamoyo

Lilongwe, November 28, Mana: Theatre for a Change has launched sensitization and psychosocial support groups at Maula and Kachere prisons as part of a three-year project focused on enhancing prisoners' health, particularly in terms of mental health.

The initiative is funded by the European Union (EU) and aims to address the significant challenges faced by prisoners.

Social and Protection Manager for Theatre for a Change, Thandiwe Mbene, highlighted the importance of collaboration with Malawi Prison Services to improve inmates' living conditions, focusing particularly on mental health and HIV management.

She emphasized the organization’s focus on new prisoners, who often experience stress and lose hope upon arrival, which can lead to the abandonment of crucial medical treatments like ARVs.

“We are aiming to provide mental health support to help these individuals regain hope and manage their well-being in a prison environment,” said Mbene.

Speaking on behalf of the Officer in Charge for Maula Prison, Inspector Edward Msowoya, who is also a Clinical Officer at the Prison Clinic, expressed appreciation for the programme, noting its potential to help inmates, especially those who have been in prison for a short time to cope with mental health challenges.

He stressed that many prisoners view detention as the end of their lives, and the new initiative would help change that mindset by providing better mental health support.

“We are very happy because of this initiative considering that in prisons we face a lot of challenges with issues of mental health, so the coming of this programme will help to improve the living standards of inmates mostly those that have just spent a few months in prison and also even those that have saved long here in prison but they were lacking this access of knowing how to overcome issues that affect their well-being in terms of mental health,” said Msowoya.

During the event, Theatre for a Change also presented certificates to inmates who had excelled in training sessions on mental health and psychological first aid.

One of the inmates, Robert Moses, a peer educator, thanked Theatre for a Change for the valuable training, stating that it has empowered them to better understand and address mental health issues within the prison community.

“We appreciate the good work that this organisation is doing for us because such training has helped us a lot in terms of knowing how issues of mental health can be handled and we will be able to help our friends who are facing such kind of challenges,” said Moses.

The programme is seen as a vital collaborative effort between Theatre for a Change and Malawi Prison Services,

By James Mwale

Ntchisi, November 28, Mana: Affordable Input Program (AIP) Coordinator for Ntchisi Salim Mndoka has advised AIP beneficiaries to venture into other forms of farming methods in order to increase productivity in the district.

Mndoka told Malawi News Agency on Wednesday that following the reduction of AIP beneficiaries from 44, 980 the last rainy season to 31,011 this rainy season due to budget allocation from the treasury, people in the district should apply other farming methods like use of organic manure and irrigation farming in order to address hunger issues.

He said the devaluation of the kwacha has led to hike in fertilizer prices making Ministry of Agriculture to maintain only the fertilizer prices and not the number of beneficiaries.

He said: “the decrease means that government did not want farmers to be buying the fertilizer at a higher price but rather it has maintained the MK15, 0000 price and reducing the number of beneficiaries.

“Farmers in the district should desist from selling the affordable inputs but rather use the inputs to good use because they should know that they will not be benefiting each and every year.”

The district’s Council Chairperson councilor Marko Mtengo said the program has made a lot of people in the district to be self-reliant saying farmers are encouraged not only to rely on the program but also to use available resources in their communities.

Mtengo called on the beneficiaries of this year’s Affordable Input Program to make good use of the fertilizer and other inputs they are to access through the program saying it is sad to see that a lot of beneficiaries sell the inputs instead of using them wisely.

“As people have already started buying the inputs in the district I believe that there will not be any challenges that will affect the program and we believe that no cases of theft will be registered” He added.

Memory Yohane a beneficiary of this year’s AIP said she was happy that her name had been included in the program and hoped to benefit a lot from the same.

She has since concurred with the Mndoka and Mtengo on the need to apply alternative farming methods other than full reliance on the AIP.

By Andrew Phiri

Balaka, November 28, Mana: Business operators in Balaka District Thursday hailed the Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness campaign for promoting the use of electronic payments (e-payment) when conducting trade.

Implemented by the Ministry of Finance in partnership with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) and AC Consulting, DFS seeks to raise knowledge among the people especially rural masses on the benefits of using electronic transactions via mobile phones, banks, and other modern platforms.

A shop owner at Phalula Trading Center, Fanny John said electronic transactions are more secure and fast because there is no involvement of cash when trading.

"Through Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba, we make more sales because our customers would transact the money anywhere and anytime. Moreover, when we have generated more cash during the day, we usually send it to the phone for security purposes," she said.

An agent of Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba, Innocent Mulanje from Kwitanda area said he was well aware of e-payment and urged others to embrace it citing that the world is going digital.

He said: "We have been encouraged by seeing you coming here to create more awareness on the use of electronic transactions"

However, Mulanje cited challenges of electronic transactions such as intermittent networks and fraudsters hence urging the network service providers to update their systems.

AC Consulting Field Supervisor for Balaka DFS, Bernadette Maele commended the people of Balaka for their positive mindset towards the campaign saying the major goal of the programme is for communities to embrace modern transactions.

She therefore emphasized that the campaign will reach the whole district through markets, Village Savings Loans Groups (VSLGs), and other social gatherings.

Phase four of the DFS awareness campaign will run in Balaka for 20 days and the previous phases have been implemented in other districts like Thyolo, Mangochi, Ntcheu, and Mwanza with the target of reaching the whole country.

By Bazilio Chingoli

Ntcheu, November 28, Mana: Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with The Reserve Bank of Malawi, has encouraged people to adopt modern means of cash transfer.

The remarks were made by Digital Financial Services specialist from the Ministry of Finance, Steve Mg'wadila during Digital Financial Services campaign meetings at Sera Trading Center in the area of Traditional Authority Mpando in Ntcheu district.

According to Mg'wadila, it is very important to encourage people in the country to use digital financial tools that are available to them.

He said as people are using hard cash, they should also embrace the use of modern ways of sending money, buying goods and services as part of the country's Vision 2063 agenda.

"We are encouraging people to use soft cash in their transactions and mainly we are concentrating on women, youths, small and medium enterprises, and the vulnerable," he said.

On his part, Janton Katoleza, a business person at Sera Trading Center in the area applauded the Government for the initiative saying it has boosted their trust in their everyday business.

"The campaign is timely as it will clear up some of the misunderstandings towards the use of digital financing tools," he said.

"I have heard on the radios, that using digital money is safer but I was worried about scammers who use the same channels to steal people's money, but now my fear is buried off," he added.

A 20-day campaign which started on 25^th November in Ntcheu district is expected to reach out to all the district mainly trading centerssensitization meetings

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, November 28, Mana: Some participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS - EPWP) in Dowa have hailed the programme for transforming their livelihoods.

One of the youthful participants 32-year-old Bless Kashamba from Chinkhwiridambwe under Kaphirisiwa catchment in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkukula, said since joining the environmental conservation programme in 2022, he has managed to achieve what he could only dream of.

He said he realised his dream of livestock farming whereby he used money he received as capital.

"In 2023, after receiving some of my wages, I invested by buying a goat. As of now, I have four goats and I know the numbers will continue growing, this is something I had dreaming of," he said.

Kashamba added that sometimes proceeds from goat sales valued at K60000 each also help him in taking care of his family, and buying school uniforms for children.

He however said apart from getting money from the project, the project has also helped in land conservation.

When starting the project, he said, most of the environment in the area was degraded saying a lot of trees had been lost due to careless cutting down of the trees.

This he said affected crop production as yields were low because of loss of soil fertility resulting from soil erosion.

“But under the project, we started implementing water conservation activities like constructing infiltration pits at Kaphirisiwa Hill. We are also constructing swales in our fields which help trap rain water.

“As a result, our crops are always healthy even if there are little rains because the soil is usually moist. For example, this past growing season I managed to get 40 bags from the same piece of land which I usually used to get 20 bags from. This has improved our food security," he said.

Thokozire Nkule from Chipeka catchment in T/A Mponela, said issues of heavy rains due to climate change also affected their crop yield.

She said that even applying fertilizer to their fields, high levels of running water and soil erosion resulted in loss of the fertilizer from the soil because most of the land was bare.

But she said this is now a thing of the past due to land conservation activities.

Also, she added saying under the programme, they have also been oriented on village loans and savings (Banki Mkhonde).

“We have also been empowered on how we can run Banki Mkhonde. Under this, we have also been encouraged to start small-scale businesses which some of our members now are engaged in. This has helped in improving our livelihoods," she said.

Director of Planning and Development for Dowa District Council Mercy Mpakule said the programme has benefited a lot of people in the district, whose participation is now pegged at 23000.

"Throughout the five cycles, we have been implementing the project, we have seen people's lives changing, Many people here depend on farming, so when they receive the money, they also invest some of it in their farming activities like buying fertilizer, seed, and other farm-related activities.

"Also, because some of the sub-projects are being implemented in people's farms, it is helping in land conservation. Again, participants are learning how to make organic manure, and all these have improved soil fertility and crop yields," she said.

According to her, during the inception of the programme, 63 hotspots were identified and 191 subprojects were identified to be implemented in the hotspots.

The CS-EPWP is funded by the World Bank and the Multi Donor Trust Fund.