Government has disclosed plans to revive farmers clubs as one way of ensuring food security and economic growth among its citizenry across the country.
Minister of Information and Digitalization, Moses Kunkuyu, disclosed on Friday when he launched the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) fertilizer loan programme in Dedza district.
The minister said during Kamuzu era, Malawi did a lot of farming thereby increasing exports which in return brought in more forex into the country.
“That relieved us from some challenges. We had more drugs in hospitals and most goods and services were cheap. It’s just unfortunate that when other administrations came in, they overlooked that aspect but the Chakwera administration is restoring that lost glory,” he said.
He added that hence government’s commitment to ensure farmers clubs are activated and that they receive the necessary support.
Kunkuyu further hailed communities in Dedza for coming together heeding to the call while emphasizing that Dedza has for a long time been a producing district.
“You can agree with me by looking at what we see when passing through the district’s trading centres. Let me ask those beneficiaries to seriously use the farm inputs for the intended purposes so that together we achieve the country’s aspirations for the Malawi 2063 agenda,” he stated.
On his part, NEEF, Board Chairperson, Jephta Mtema, said unlike in the last farming season when K27 billion was allocated towards the same which saw 11,500 farmers benefitting across the country, the 2024/25 season has an allocation of K150 billion.
“Through this, we expect to reach 400,000 farmers across the country. So far, K15 billion cash has been disbursed and 48,000 bags of fertilizers have been distributed since October 2024. Of this figure, 14,000 were NPK while 34,000 were Urea,” said Mtema.
Dedza District Council, Chief Agriculture Officer, Matilda Mtambo, hailed government through NEEF for reaching out to the district adding the diversification by the loan institution from solely providing cash loans to giving out farm inputs to farmers is a game changer.
“We appreciate this timely action which will greatly benefit our farmers. Let me also emphasize here that our office is committed to make proper follow-ups to ensure that the farm inputs being provided are being used for the intended purposes,” she said.
Inkosi Kamenyagwaza and one of the beneficiary farmers, Mirriam Pakhale from Tikhadzikitse Women Club under Mpalale Village in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasumbu, hailed the move by government to ensure that farmers can also access farm inputs from NEEF on a loan basis while promising to do their best in order to achieve the programme’s objectives.
The chief further stated that it was pleasing to note that the programme is reaching out to everyone regardless of their political affiliations.
“This is a good initiative and if properly implemented, we won’t be the same in years to come. We will work hand in hand with government so that the beneficiaries can pay back the loan so that others can benefit too,” said Inkosi Kamenyagwaza.
In Dedza district, the launch took place in areas of Lobi, Linthipe and Boma which among other officials, Martha Kwataine, presidential advisor on Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), participated as an observer of the programme.