By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

His Excellency the state president Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has launched the newly introduced Affordable Input Program(AIP) which replaces the old Farm Input Subsidy Program(FISP) in Zomba.

Speaking when launching the program at Pirimiti boys school ground in Zomba Likangala, president Chakwera told the nation that although the program is not benefiting the entire Malawi’s population of 18 million plus, but it is a target on all subsistence farming households not including mega farmers.

President Chakwera further said the program is a deliberate move to deal away with the continous hunger crisis hitting Malawi yearly. He added that with the program, 3 meals a day is very possible to Malawian citizens and others will indirectly get employments. President Chakwera said it is the wish of his administration to reduce the big gap that exist between the poor and the rich.

On the standards of agricultural produce, president Chakwera said his government will revamp the agriculture schemes and extension workers program to make sure there is enough food that can even be exported to other countries and better standards at all levels. He then told the nation that he chose to launch the program in Zomba knowing it is one of the areas where rains start.

President Chakwera has since urged the private sector to work hand in hand with the government in serving Malawians, but was quick to warn those thinking of getting contracts in dubious ways that their time is over and the law shall always take its course.

In his remarks the minister of agriculture Honorable Lobin Lowe said all measures to make sure there are no malpractices have been put in place and that his ministry in working hand in hand with the ministry of information, ministry of homeland and security and ministry of Civic education to make sure there is smooth running of the program. He has since advised farmers to be applying manure in their fields in addition to fertilizer to boost the harvest.

This year’s AIP is targeting 4,279,100 households from the previous 900,000 and will see a 50kg bag of NPK(23:21) and Urea going at affordable K4,495:00 leaving the government paying K15,500 per bag of fertilizer. The package will also have some seeds like maize as it aims at attaining food security at both household and national level. The program has been pegged at K160 Billion.

Written by  Blessings Kapina

Minister of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Patricia Kaliati, has warned beneficiaries of the Social Cash Transfer Program that they risk withdrawal from the program if they misuse funds.

Speaking on Friday at an interface meeting held at Lilongwe Hotel with members of the Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Kaliati said there is a large faction of Malawians who are ultra poor and in dire need of support.

She therefore cautioned targeted beneficiaries to desist from reckless spending of the allocated money but rather put it to good use.

‘’We are warning those people who are benefiting from the social cash transfer program that if they use the money on beer then we are going to withdraw them because they are not serious and ungrateful of what government is doing,’’ Kaliati said.

She further extend the communication to those getting cash for their school fees, uniform and notebooks warning that they will not be exempted from the chop if it is found that they are not reporting to school.

The minister revealed that government has added five percent in the budget allocation on the cash transfer programme which is also targeting the vulnerable, people with disabilities and street children so that they should be supported to go to school.

She said: “Parent should not send their children to the streets to beg instead they should be in their homes so that the ministry target them”

“The same goes for all persons with disability in the streets we are asking to go back to their communities because once the budget is passed we will be targeting them in their households.’’

Kaliati expressed gratitude to all the donors who are supporting the programme.