By Burnett Munthali
Kanengo Police have warned farmers against suspected counterfeit fertiliser products following the discovery of an alleged illegal manufacturing operation in Mchezi, Lilongwe District, ahead of the planting season.
According to local media reports, Kanengo Police Station Officer Dan Sautain said authorities were concerned that unscrupulous individuals could exploit farmers by selling imitation fertiliser disguised as genuine agricultural products.
Sautain warned that the suspected counterfeit products were allegedly manufactured using locally sourced soil and packaged to resemble authentic fertiliser, potentially misleading unsuspecting farmers.
He said the discovery followed a police operation in Mchezi, where officers uncovered a suspected production site believed to have been used to manufacture the fake agricultural inputs.
Police arrested two suspects during the operation, one from Mchezi and another from Lumbadzi, in connection with the alleged illegal production and possession of counterfeit products.
Sautain said the suspects are facing charges relating to possession of counterfeit products as investigations continue to establish the full extent of the operation.
The police officer further disclosed that investigators were pursuing additional information about other suspected manufacturing sites that could be operating in different locations.
The development has raised concerns about the possible circulation of substandard agricultural inputs at a time when farmers are preparing their fields for the new growing season.
Authorities are urging farmers to exercise caution when purchasing fertiliser and to obtain agricultural inputs from recognised and authorised suppliers.
The investigation is expected to establish the origin, distribution network and possible scale of the suspected counterfeit fertiliser operation as police intensify efforts to protect farmers from fraudulent agricultural products.
