Govt turns to Admarc staff for AIP distribution

In a typical case of the stone the builder rejected becoming the cornerstone, Malawi Government has recalled 1 000 Admarc staff to help in managing logistics of the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP).

Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale made the announcement in Parliament in Lilongwe yesterday after some members of Parliament (MPs) expressed fear that with operations of Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) suspended and staff sent on leave pending restructuring and retrenchment, it would be difficult to manage AIP logistics.

Mulanje Bale MP Victor Musowa (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) said there is need to open Admarc up to March next year to enable people to buy fertiliser and maize from Admarc markets.

He feared that the current situation of Admarc is risking lives as it is a threat to food security.

“Please let Admarc be open. Our people are suffering. They are facing hunger. We are here, we have eaten but the people in our constituencies have nothing to eat,” said Musowa.

In response, Kawale said government will temporarily recall some of the Admarc employees to help manage the AIP and facilitate maize distribution through Admarc depots.

He also said extra hands will be recruited to beef up the Admarc and Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi team to manage AIP and maize distribution.

Said Kawale: “What we are doing is to make sure a temporary staff is recruited to use Admarc facilities so that we can distribute fertiliser.

The minister assured that the AIP will be implemented and the 2.5 million beneficiaries will be reached with fertiliser.

Speaking in an interview, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa, who on Wednesday had asked the Minister of Agriculture to make a statement on the AIP, said time is running out and he doubted if the AIP will be properly implemented