By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, April 29, Mana: The Mzuzu Agricultural Development Division (ADD) Programmes Manager Anderson Chikomola has advised farmers under Chombe Cooperative in Nkhata Bay not to sell or misuse micro-irrigation loan inputs.

Chikomola said this on Monday at Luwambaza Primary School ground in the area of Senior Chief Timbiri in Nkhata Bay during the launch of the 2025 Micro Irrigation Loan programme in the district by the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).

According to Chikomola, the programme aims to provide an opportunity to farmers who are in groups to access agriculture inputs, to supplement rain fed agriculture with winter cropping to increase crop yield and boost production.

"Today, we have witnessed 58 farmers from Chombe cooperative accessing 116 bags of fertilizers weighing 50 kilograms each and 302 kilograms of maize seed on loan worth K17.1 million which is so encouraging.

"I urge them to use these inputs wisely and not sell or misuse them, so we can achieve the program's goal of alleviating hunger in the country through winter cropping," he said.

He added that the programme aligns well with government's agenda of promoting climate-smart agriculture and building resilience in agriculture production to mitigate challenges associated with rain-fed agriculture.

NEEF Zonal Manager for Mzuzu, Amos Phiri, expressed optimism that the farmers will pay back the loan based on last years’ experience, when 96 percent of the K100 million loan farmers received in the district was repaid.

"In this programme, we are targeting farmers who have at least one acre of land to be in in groups of 50 to 100. So far, we have managed to mobilize about 17 groups who are yet to receive their inputs, with hope to reach out to more," he added.

District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa, commended the programme's timing, noting that farmers are currently harvesting their rain-fed crops, which makes it an ideal time to embark on irrigation farming.

He therefore urged NEEF to extend its reach to all cooperatives in the district, emphasizing that this would significantly contribute to achieving food security in the country.

Chairperson for Chombe Cooperative, Leftan Chituzu, expressed gratitude to the government for providing the loan opportunity through NEEF.

"As a group, we have put in place strategies to ensure timely repayment of the loan. Our goal is to qualify for another loan, specifically for machinery, and we are committed to making it happen," he added.

Through the micro-irrigation loan programme, NEEF aims to reach 200,000 farmers across the country.