The Government of Malawi through Ministry of Agriculture has said about 2,454,748 Malawians will benefit from the Affordable Input Program (AIP) for the 2024-25 farming season to ensure the country has sufficient food.
The Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale made the remarks at Smaller Holder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) at area 28 in Kanengo, Lilongwe.
Kawale said in the 2024-2025 farming season, about 2,454,748 have been selected to benefit from Affordable Input Program, whereby, 1,549,445 people will benefit from fertilizer and seeds provision while about 600 thousand farmers are scheduled to benefit livestock.
“As a Ministry we are looking forward to end hunger that has been embedded in the minds of citizens and we will make sure that everyone has benefited from this program such that it is not only AIP but also some cash transfers including the loans that will be awarded to residents to boost their farming across the country,” said Kawale.
Kawale said some network challenges that were there last year, such as the missing of names, lack of foreign currency including transportation have been resolved.
“Government has so far trusted companies that has allowed being paid using Malawi kwacha and over 1500 transporters has been registered and the companies have assured government that they are going to receive their money in Malawi Kwacha.
Kawale said government is looking tirelessly to achieve the Malawi 2063 agenda and one of its visions is to invest in Agriculture.
The minister said additionally, government will spend over One trillion to help farmers to carry farming activities across the country.
On the prices, farmers are expected to buy the fertilizer at K 15,000 per bag whereas on seeds, government will put K4,000 and the farmers themselves will have to add extra cash depending on the type of seeds they would like to buy.
