National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) has distributed fertiliser to farmers in Chitipa and Karonga districts to empower them to achieve food security.
In Chitipa, Neef has disbursed fertiliser to 252 smallholder farmers while 330 farmers have accessed the fertiliser in Karonga District.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Benedicto Chambo presided over the distribution exercise in Chitipa on Wednesday and in Karonga on Thursday.
“Government is making efforts to eradicate hunger in the country through the programme. Despite the initial challenges, the programme has shown promise for improvement in the next season,” he said.
Chambo asked Neef to make the loan a complete package by adding seeds and pesticides.
On his part, Neef executive director Humphreys Mdyetseni emphasised the need for beneficiaries to repay their loans to guarantee the programme’s continuity.
One of the beneficiaries, Ellen Yaled from Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwabulambya in Chitipa, said she was unable to buy fertiliser because it is expensive.
Her counterpart Charles Mlelemba from T/A Kyungu in Karonga pledged to repay the loan to enable other farmers to benefit next season.
“We hear that this is like a revolving fund. Therefore, we want it to continue; hence, the need to repay the loans,” he said.
Senior Chief Mwabulambya of Chitipa commended the government for implementing the programme, saying it is more effective than the Affordable Inputs Programme.
On his part, Senior Chief Kalonga of Karonga also thanked government for the initiative and urged beneficiaries to repay the loans.
Chambo helps a man carry a bag of fertiliser in Chitipa. | Joseph Mbughi
