Fund coughs K2bnloans for farm inputs
One Acre Fund has supported at least 17 000 community members in Blantyre with farm inputs worth K2 billion to address food insecurity in the district.
Speaking on Thursday during the delivery of the inputs in Lunzu, Blantyre District Council chairperson Mike Malikita described the loan as timely.
He said the seeds and fertiliser the farmers received were certified by relevant authorities, an assurance that once used with guidance from extension workers, farmers will realise high crop yields.
“Although this is a loan that farmers will pay back, it is commendable because the farmers would not have managed to buy farm inputs on their own. This will ensure food security in the area and Blantyre because farmers expect to have good harvests,” said Malikita.
One Acre Fund senior government relations officer Frank Mkwaila said the programme is being implemented in eight districts to the tune of more than K13 billion.
“In Blantyre District alone, about K2 billion is being invested in these inputs, benefiting 17 434 farmers in five extension planning areas,” he said.
Mkwaila said since the programme was launched, farmers who grow the crops with extension guidance have managed to move from perpetual hunger.
One of the beneficiaries, Beatrice Leyi, commended One Acre Fund for the initiative.
She said she was not included in the list of beneficiaries of the 2023 Affordable Inputs Programme, as such, the farm inputs will enable her to realise bumper harvests.
