Government asked to act swiftly on AIP woes

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) has asked government to act swiftly on the prevailing anomalies associated with the implementation of this year’s Affordable Input Programme (AIP).

In a statement, FUM President Maness Nkhata cited the ambiguous beneficiary list which is reportedly bringing confusion among farmers and providing a fertile ground for corruption.

Nkhata also cited shortage of selling points for fertilizer and seeds under the programme across the country.

She said Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) has proven to be lacking the capacity to timely deliver the inputs to farmers across the country.

Nkhata warned that the anomalies have a great potential of derailing national and household food security in the country.

The union has asked government to introduce mobile selling points as per its earlier commitment to ensure delivery close to farmers.

SFFRFM also asked government to urgently address the network challenges to improve efficiency in service delivery to beneficiaries.

Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale announced on Wednesday that the Malawi Defence Force has providing assistance in the delivery of fertilizer to hard-to-reach areas in the country.

Kawale said loaded MDF trucks were on their way to Chitipa and Rumphi to deliver fertilizer.