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.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, November 27, Mana: Farmers benefiting from the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) in Salima district have commended timely distribution of farming inputs before commencement of steady planting rains in the district.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Tuesday, a beneficiary from Nthiwatiwa Village in the area of Traditional Authority Kalonga, Brown Kapoloma said he has redeemed two bags of fertilizer enough for his yield to do well and accord him a good harvest.

The father of 5 said he is optimistic that with the two bags of fertilizer he has received, his family will be food secured as his biggest challenge was farm inputs especially fertilizer.

"Receiving two bags of fertilizer for growth and maturing of my maize means I will not be troubled this farming season. My role will be to ensure that my field is free from weeds and being optimistic that we will have good rains," he said.

Kapoloma said he has made compost manure which will supplement the fertilizer he has received because adding enough nutrients to his field will guarantee him good yields.

Another beneficiary from Group Village Headman Daniel, Sakinna White said she has bought the affordable inputs on time a development she has described as lifesaving because her field was already ploughed and tilled awaiting planting.

"I believe in planting on time and applying fertilizer in good time for me to have good yields therefore once the first rains come I will plant my maize seeds, this will help me to have a bumper harvest because in the past years we used to receive inputs as late as December," she said.

A beneficiary from the area of Traditional Authority Maganga, Hannifa Mustafa said this is her first to be included amongst beneficiaries of AIP.

Mustafa expressed optimism that with the inputs she has affordably redeemed hunger will be alleviated in her household.

According to Principal Agriculture Officer for Salima Agriculture Office Reuben Banda, said 29,688 beneficiaries have been targeted to benefit from the programme.

"I can confirm that in all the 12 Traditional Authorities in the district the inputs are being sold, all the selling points are having stocks of inputs from time to time, we are estimating that by mid-December all our targeted beneficiaries will have received their inputs," he said.

He however mentioned that some unscrupulous sellers are managing to maneuver the system and sell inputs without the knowledge of beneficiaries, he was quick to mention that police have been involved in the such matters and some people have been brought to book.

"Challenges are inevitable in this programme the advantage is that these challenges are being reported and rectified within the quickest of time, we have also been facing network challenges in some areas but this is just minor because network is being restored quickly," he said.

On her part Traditional Authority Maganga, hailed the programme for its efforts to alleviate hunger in her area by pointing out that beneficiaries of programme are buying inputs in her area without many challenges.

"It is pleasing to note that beneficiaries are redeeming their inputs on time because we have not received serious rains warranting planting of maize, therefore I can confidently say that the programme is on course in my area," she said.

Beneficiaries under AIP are redeeming inputs at K15,000 and are also redeeming maize seed, the AIP aims to provide affordable fertilizers and agricultural resources to farmers capable of cultivating enough food.

By Leah Malimbasa

Zomba, November 26, Mana: Farmers in Zomba District have expressed gratitude to government for the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP), which has enabled them to purchase fertilizer and other essential farming supplies at subsidized prices. 

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday, Kelise Kuloweka, who is one of the farmers from Magwira Village, Traditional Authority(TA) Malemia, said the program has eased her financial burden during this planting season. 

“I have bought my fertilizer at MK15, 000 per bag. I can now prepare my field on time without worrying about fertilizer,” she said. 

Another farmer, Charles Likoya from Mpasye Village, TA Malemia, said he is optimistic that this season he will at least triple the yields he normally gets from his two-hectare maize field.

“This fertilizer will help my family achieve food security. Despite irrigating my field, it was still difficult to harvest enough due to the soil’s infertility,” he said.

He added that it is unfortunate that some farmers sell their affordable inputs to vendors.

“Government has done its part by subsidizing the inputs and it is our responsibility to utilize the inputs for its intended use,” said Likoya.

According to AIP Coordinator for Zomba, Limbani Thangata, the district has 35,174 beneficiaries in this year’s program.

“This program is crucial for addressing food insecurity and poverty, that’s why we are urging beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and avoid selling them to ensure the program achieves its intended impact,” said Thangata.

By Donald Zimba

Lilongwe, November 26, Mana, The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) has confirmed the arrival of relief maize at the Liwonde Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) depot.

The move is part of the 2024/25 Lean Season Food Insecurity Response Program (LS-FIRP) aimed at improving distribution efficiency and cutting costs.

Speaking during an interview, DoDMA’s Director of Disaster Preparedness, Moses Chimphepo, highlighted the government’s commitment to ensuring that maize supplies are closer to communities in need, particularly in the Eastern Region.

“We’ll begin with Mangochi because people in Balaka and Machinga have already started receiving distributions, Mangochi is the remaining district in the Eastern Region and by the end of this week, and trucks will begin delivering maize there.” Chimphepo explained.

Chimphepo also revealed that 1,200 metric tons of maize have been transported via rail so far, out of the 4,000 metric tons expected. The department aims to complete deliveries by December.

The decision to use rail transport has been praised for its cost-effectiveness and safety. Daniel Zanda, Warehousing and Logistics Supervisor at Liwonde ADMARC, explained that rail transport allows for faster and larger deliveries.

“For instance, one wagon carries 800 bags, or about 40 tons. Offloading 10 wagons delivers 400 metric tons at once, making it very efficient,” Zanda said.

The District Commissioner for Machinga, Rodrick Mateauma, expressed gratitude for the relief efforts.

He noted that his district has been receiving maize since October and that the additional deliveries will help expand support to underserved communities.

“This initiative has come at the right time,” Mateauma said. “The maize will help us reach those we missed in October while also supporting November’s beneficiaries.”

The ongoing maize delivery initiative highlights the government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity and ensuring timely support for vulnerable communities as the lean season progresses.

By George Mponda

Karonga, November 26, Mana: Assorted drugs of unknown value went missing on Friday at Karonga District Hospital's (KDH) paying wing and police have since instituted investigation into the issue

According to Director of Health Services for Karonga District Council David Sibale, the hospital officials realized that the drugs were missing on Friday although there are no signs of burglary.

"The drugs which are missing are Amoxyllin Syrup, Ciproflaxilllin, Doxycycline and Erythromycin and we have since informed the police who have instituted an investigation into the matter,"said Sibale.

Public Relations Officer for Karonga Police Station, Margret Msiska has since confirmed having received a complaint from officials of the hospital and that   investigation has commenced.

In July this year, a report released by the Malawi Human Rights Commission acused Karonga District Hospital (KDH) of mismanagement of resources.

"There are cases of drug pilferage from Karonga District Health Office to private owned health facilities as confirmed by investigations which revealed that some health workers operate private clinics within the district depriving patients the necessary services at the district hospital where they are employed," reads part of the report.

By Austin Kananji

Lilongwe November 26, Mana: Minister of Lands Deus Gumba has announced the construction of 10,000 houses for Malawi's security forces, with phase one already completed, as part of the Chakwera administration's nationwide initiative,

In his remarks, during a Parliamentary morning session of day two of the mid-year budget review, Gumba, emphasized that the Chakwera administration is committed to implementing a project to build 10,000 houses for security institutions such as the Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Immigration, Police, and Prison Services.

He clarified that the construction of these houses will be completed soon, as earlier announced.

 The President had also pledged the construction of 50 houses in Nkhatabay Central, contingent on the availability of land hence Minister Gumba assured the Member of Parliament for Nkhatabay and the people of Malawi that the construction of these houses will begin soon.

 “The Member of Parliament assured us that the land is now available as a result very soon, the contractor will be on the ground as the land has been provided this means even in those areas where they have identified land there is indeed to construct houses, as a Ministry of Lands is going to construct across the country,

“We are already building 50 houses for the police region in Thyolo and Chikwawa, Nsanje, and Mangochi, right now we are in the second phase, once we finalize all the contractual obligations that are required for a contractor to be on the ground,” He said.

Speaking in a separate interview, Member of Parliament of Nkhatabay Central Symon Vuwa Kaunda thanked the President of Malawi Lazarus Chakwera for directing that the government should construct 50 houses for the police officers working at Nkhatabay Boma.

The ongoing construction of 10,000 houses for Malawi’s security institutions underscores the government's commitment to improving infrastructure, with progress visible across the country, ensuring enhanced living conditions for security personnel and strengthening national security.

The construction of 10,000 houses is an ongoing process, divided into three phases whereby in the first phase, 1,028 houses have been completed and handed over, and the second phase will involve 3,300 houses, with most contractors already on-site, while others finalize contractual obligations.