Items filtered by date: July 2025

By Bazilio Chingoli

Ntcheu, November 28, Mana: Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs in collaboration with The Reserve Bank of Malawi, has encouraged people to adopt modern means of cash transfer.

The remarks were made by Digital Financial Services specialist from the Ministry of Finance, Steve Mg'wadila during Digital Financial Services campaign meetings at Sera Trading Center in the area of Traditional Authority Mpando in Ntcheu district.

According to Mg'wadila, it is very important to encourage people in the country to use digital financial tools that are available to them.

He said as people are using hard cash, they should also embrace the use of modern ways of sending money, buying goods and services as part of the country's Vision 2063 agenda.

"We are encouraging people to use soft cash in their transactions and mainly we are concentrating on women, youths, small and medium enterprises, and the vulnerable," he said.

On his part, Janton Katoleza, a business person at Sera Trading Center in the area applauded the Government for the initiative saying it has boosted their trust in their everyday business.

"The campaign is timely as it will clear up some of the misunderstandings towards the use of digital financing tools," he said.

"I have heard on the radios, that using digital money is safer but I was worried about scammers who use the same channels to steal people's money, but now my fear is buried off," he added.

A 20-day campaign which started on 25^th November in Ntcheu district is expected to reach out to all the district mainly trading centerssensitization meetings

By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, November 28, Mana: Some participants under the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS - EPWP) in Dowa have hailed the programme for transforming their livelihoods.

One of the youthful participants 32-year-old Bless Kashamba from Chinkhwiridambwe under Kaphirisiwa catchment in Traditional Authority (T/A) Nkukula, said since joining the environmental conservation programme in 2022, he has managed to achieve what he could only dream of.

He said he realised his dream of livestock farming whereby he used money he received as capital.

"In 2023, after receiving some of my wages, I invested by buying a goat. As of now, I have four goats and I know the numbers will continue growing, this is something I had dreaming of," he said.

Kashamba added that sometimes proceeds from goat sales valued at K60000 each also help him in taking care of his family, and buying school uniforms for children.

He however said apart from getting money from the project, the project has also helped in land conservation.

When starting the project, he said, most of the environment in the area was degraded saying a lot of trees had been lost due to careless cutting down of the trees.

This he said affected crop production as yields were low because of loss of soil fertility resulting from soil erosion.

“But under the project, we started implementing water conservation activities like constructing infiltration pits at Kaphirisiwa Hill. We are also constructing swales in our fields which help trap rain water.

“As a result, our crops are always healthy even if there are little rains because the soil is usually moist. For example, this past growing season I managed to get 40 bags from the same piece of land which I usually used to get 20 bags from. This has improved our food security," he said.

Thokozire Nkule from Chipeka catchment in T/A Mponela, said issues of heavy rains due to climate change also affected their crop yield.

She said that even applying fertilizer to their fields, high levels of running water and soil erosion resulted in loss of the fertilizer from the soil because most of the land was bare.

But she said this is now a thing of the past due to land conservation activities.

Also, she added saying under the programme, they have also been oriented on village loans and savings (Banki Mkhonde).

“We have also been empowered on how we can run Banki Mkhonde. Under this, we have also been encouraged to start small-scale businesses which some of our members now are engaged in. This has helped in improving our livelihoods," she said.

Director of Planning and Development for Dowa District Council Mercy Mpakule said the programme has benefited a lot of people in the district, whose participation is now pegged at 23000.

"Throughout the five cycles, we have been implementing the project, we have seen people's lives changing, Many people here depend on farming, so when they receive the money, they also invest some of it in their farming activities like buying fertilizer, seed, and other farm-related activities.

"Also, because some of the sub-projects are being implemented in people's farms, it is helping in land conservation. Again, participants are learning how to make organic manure, and all these have improved soil fertility and crop yields," she said.

According to her, during the inception of the programme, 63 hotspots were identified and 191 subprojects were identified to be implemented in the hotspots.

The CS-EPWP is funded by the World Bank and the Multi Donor Trust Fund.

By Albert Mulizakamba

Balaka, November 28, Mana: Action Aid Malawi has disclosed that over 137,000 children across six Traditional Authorities (TAs) in Balaka District have been enrolled in pre-primary schools under the School Readiness Initiative.

The Organization's Programme’s Manager for Early Childhood Development, Anderson Moyo, said this on Tuesday in Balaka when presenting the phase one and two project's progress to District Executive Committee (DEC) members.

He noted that the programme has managed to prepare vulnerable preschool children for education in the district, citing strong collaboration among various parties as a leading factor.

"Phase two has enrolled 137,471 children and we have seen improvements in children’s developmental domains, and also communities are willing to support their children. The construction of Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres, particularly in Traditional Authority Nyanyala, has been a great success," he said.

However, Moyo noted that Cyclone Freddy and El Nino posed significant challenges, affecting learner attendance due to hunger in the community.

He added:" The initiative has also recorded 1,640 male and 739 female dropouts with 19,364 male and 19,044 female repeaters"

Balaka District School Health and Nutrition Coordinator, Fabiano Mbendera emphasized the project’s importance in the district saying that the programme remains dedicated to ensuring vulnerable children receive a solid foundation for their educational journey.

"Action Aid School Readiness Initiative has demonstrated its commitment to enhancing education in Balaka, despite facing challenges and a radio programme, “Breach to School,” which was also featured in the programme further supported pre-primary children and parents," he commended.

The initiative was launched in 2020 and phase one started from 2020 to 2022, followed by phase two from 2022 to 2024 and now it is in phase three targeting eight TAs in Balaka.

By Agatha Kadzinje and Milcah Mathias

Blantyre, November 28, Mana: Small scale farmers in Blantyre rural have expressed high expectations in crop harvests in the 2024/2025 farming season as they are currently purchasing fertilisers and maize seeds in various selling points through Affordable Input Programme (AIP).

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday, one of the beneficiaries from Chapasuka Village, Traditional Authority Chigalu in Blantyre, Stenala Juma, said that failure to apply fertilizer had been a challenge among most small scale farmers in his area.

“Most of us are appearing on the beneficiaries list for the first time. We therefore expect that next year we will have enough harvest,” he said.

Juma, who owns 1 hectare of land, expects to have a bumper harvest of maize next year, as in the past year he only harvested one bag of maize. He therefore expressed joy for being among the AIP beneficiaries at Traditional Authority Chigalu.

Some of the criteria for selecting AIP beneficiaries include; being a productive small farmer, owning land from 0.4 to 2.5 hectares, and belonging to a gazetted village, recognized by local authority on top of being a citizen of Malawi.

Speaking in a separate interview, Blantyre District, Chief Agriculture Officer, Lusungu Banda Mtukale said at least 41,860 farmers are expected to benefit from AIP.

She added that under AIP, small scale farmers in Blantyre will buy fertilisers and seeds at subsidised prices, anticipating that the AIP will improve maize production in the district which was also hit by drought.

“Some parts of Blantyre such as Kunthembwe and Chigalu received insufficient rains than other areas in the district.

“We are therefore encouraging farmers to adopt good farming practices according to weather patterns. We are hoping that good rainfall in 2024/25 farming season will bring good results,” Mtukale added.

She advised Agricultural Extension Development workers to provide extension services to farmers so that they should continue with good agricultural practices to ensure good harvest citing early land preparation, good choice of seeds, correct spacing, manure application on top of fertiliser application as some of the best practices.

Mtukale then appealed to AIP beneficiaries never to sell farm inputs for quick money, saying this would be counterproductive and set back in the quest for improved food production

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, November 28, mana: Scores of subsistence farmers in Mzimba have expressed hope of getting bumper yields from their farms after purchasing cheap fertiliser under the government’s Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the 2024/2025 farming season.

According to AIP coordinator for Mzimba Agriculture office, Julius Banda most market dealers have started selling   fertiliser under the programme which is targeting 45,541 beneficiaries in the district.

In an interview on Tuesday after purchasing fertiliser, a beneficiary of the programme Temwanani Chirwa, 48 from Kapokolo Village in Traditional Authority M’mbelwa said in the past she cultivated her two acres farmland but due to loss of soil fertility she failed to harvest enough.

‘‘My farmland can no longer give me yields without applying fertiliser. This is the reason I thank government for this programme which is making life easier for us subsistence farmers. This 50 kg bag I have bought at K15,000 will enable me cushion hunger as I am sure I will harvest more than 20 bags’’, said Chirwa.

Chirwa said she struggles to raise money for her household to survive everyday and she could hardly manage to raise over K100, 000 to buy fertiliser for her garden at the current market price.

“Most of us beneficiaries of this AIP are just subsistence farmers so we cultivate for food and because of that we don’t have the financial muscle to buy fertiliser on the market but the coming of this programme has made my life easy to have food through out of the year,” she said.

Another beneficiary of the programme, 71 year old Joys Kamanga from Chimuzalire Chirwa village in Traditional Authority Kampingo Sibande says this is the third time to be among AIP beneficiaries. He commended government saying it has come as a saviour since in the past they could not buy even one bag of fertilizer but currently they are buying two bags which is a great improvement.

Kamanga further says that he is able to provide for his family and that he is able to pay school fees for his family from the farming.

“Since I started benefiting from the program a lot of things have changed in my life as I am able to buy two bags of fertilizers at a low price,” he said.

Martin Jinkho from Yelemiah Mawaso village, in Traditional Authority M’mbelwa said they have not yet started planting and the fertiliser sales have not delayed.

“Some people were panicking that government was delaying in starting selling the fertiliser but I can assure you that this is just the right time as planting rains are yet to start,” said Njikho.

In a separate interview, Traditional Authority Mzukuzuku has also commanded government for rolling out the sales saying people in his communities’ bank on the programme.

‘‘This programme is doing wonders in enabling farmers to harvest without which most people would go hungry. I therefore commend government for this AIP and I only urge government to consider increasing number of beneficiaries next season,” said T/A Mzukuzuku.

Group village headman Amon Moyo says since AIP program was introduced a lot of people have benefited in his area and he further says that 160 people are going to benefit from AIP program this year.

“When the communities have got enough food it becomes easier for communities to take part in even self-projects. Hunger drives away hard working spirit. But people who have food are easy to manage. So as a chief I applaud government for making people buy fertiliser at cheaper price of K15, 000,” said Moyo.

According to the AIP coordinator Banda, they have since opened 32 selling points including mobile markets to ensure farmers have easy access to markets.

‘‘These 32 fertiliser selling points are up from 18 points we had last year. We have scaled up the selling points to ease challenges that some beneficiaries were facing to buy the fertiliser. Also, the mobile markets we have, we believe will ensure farmers buy farmers closer to where they reside,” said Banda.

By Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, November 28, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council Economist John Manda has urged Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) beneficiaries to form strong and sustainable Savings loan groups that will assist in transforming their households and communities.

Manda said this at Khwapu Primary School in Nkhotakota district on Wednesday, during a weeklong GIZ-funded campaign on the benefits of savings and loan groups and other financial literacy benefits to beneficiaries of resilience programmes in the district.

He said the separate package that they contribute within Saving loan groups is used to support group members during disaster.

Manda therefore asked more male SCTP beneficiaries to join saving loan groups to achieve equal financial access between males and females.

H said embracing a culture of saving and learning entrepreneurial skills is critical to improve one’s economic status in life.

"We are encouraging them to join saving loan groups to have a vision for their households, as they might have plans to buy a bicycle, some livestock, or to build a house. So it is important for them to join these groups,” said Manda.

Ministry of Gender Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Division Economist, Elicia Limbe revealed that most of the previous SCTP beneficiaries failed to succeed as they lacked effective strategies such as joining saving loan groups that would have guided them to accomplish their vision.

He added that this is why the ministry is advocating for the measures to make sure beneficiaries are guided, equipped, and placed in the best possible environment to succeed.

Alice Chimsewu one of the beneficiaries from Group Village Head Benga 2, said she ventured into livestock farming after joining the savings group and this has greatly helped the family to support children in school.

Chimsewu however asked government to consider increasing the package in order to match with the high cost of living caused by the devaluation of the local currency.

She admitted the importance of joining saving loan groups saying through this groups have access to borrow loans from financial institutions like banks and have access to numerous linkages of other groups.

By Chisomo Kmabandanga

Nkhata Bay, November 28, Mana: The timely sale of Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) has generated immense excitement among communities in Nkhata Bay saying this will enable smallholder famers to access essential farming inputs paving way for increased crop yield and income.

In an interview on Thursday at Mkumbira resource centre selling point, Luti Kasambala from Chilerawana village in the area of Senior Chief MKumbira said was happy to have secured her bags of fertilizer which will enable her focus on other things.

“I am very grateful to government that this year I have benefited from this programme which was not the case last year. Today I have accessed the bags of fertilizer and now will just be waiting for the rains while finalising preparing my field,” she said.

According to Kasambala, there is hope that in the 2024/2025 farming season produce from her farm will be increased.

Another beneficiary, Esther Nkhwazi from Usisya in the area of Traditional Authority M’bwana said she will use the two bags of fertilizers redeemed for its intended purpose as it is a step further towards achieving food security at her home.

In his remarks, Chairperson for Mkumbira Area Development Committee, Mavuto Kaunda expressed optimism that by the end of December this year, beneficiaries at Nkhata Bay Central Constituency will have redeemed their fertilisers.

“Currently, 635 bags of NPK and 681 bags of NPK have been redeemed in this constituency which has an allocation of 1,428 households to benefit translating to about 48 percent of fertilizer sold within three weeks.

“If the network will be stable and have continued supply of fertilizer, by mid-December everyone will have redeemed their bags of AIP which is encouraging,” he said.

Councillor for Usisya ward, Brown Chizeze, who is also Vice Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Council commended government for timely targeting Usisya, a very hard to reach area, with fertilizers where about 200 bags have already been redeemed.

He further asked for special consideration to increase the load and frequency so that people can access their agriculture inputs before the roads are impassable considering the approaching rainy season.

Commenting on the matter, Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources Raphael Mkisi said apart from network challenges selling of AIP commodities is progressing well in the district.

“On average we have two selling points at each of the six constituencies and at least each selling point has fertilizer. The need for the beneficiary of the program to be physically present with the National Identity card has helped to tighten security and also taken vendors out of the system resulting into sanity in selling points,” he said.

He therefore advised farmers not to sale the fertilizer to effectively achieve the program’s goal of making Malawi a food secured nation.

Launched on October 14, 2024 in Neno by President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, the 2024/2025 AIP is expected to benefit 12,540 famers in Nkhata Bay.

By Martin Chiwanda

Machinga, November 27, Mana: Vice President Dr. Michael Usi has said the current administration is determined to addressing the challenges Malawians are facing.

Usi made the sentiments at Nyangu, the Headquarters of Paramount Chief Kawinga, in Machinga when he engaged chiefs and the community in the district.

He said people should not be cheated that there will be a government that they should wait to resolve their challenges.

"The Paramount Chief has presented several issues like hunger and NEEF loans, among others. He knows that this government can come in and address them. Let me commend the Paramount Chief for his openness. This government is there for the people," said Usi.

He added: "I have heard what you are going through and I would like to assure you that the Office of the President will do the needful through the District Commissioner's office."

The Vice President said the Office of the President is always there for people and if it gets reports of any issue, it is always ready to help.

He urged District Commissioner for Machinga, Rodrick Mateauma, to report under-performing officers at the Council because their failure in undertaking their daily activities creates a bad image for government.

Usi asked chiefs to be honest when selecting vulnerable people to benefit from different social protection programmes, saying dishonesty is an enemy to development.

He, therefore, distributed two bags of fertilizer to seven elderly people each selected at random and mini bags of groundnuts to all women carrying a child present at the meeting.

He advised capable Malawians to cultivate a sharing spirit, saying giving assistance should not always wait for government.

Paramount Chief Kawinga thanked Usi for the visit, describing it as a great milestone for his reign.

He said the visit is a sign of good relationship that exists between the Vice President’s office and his subjects.

"You can witness from the faces around that hunger has indeed crept in here in Machinga. We are asking your office to consider the issue," he said.

He appealed to government to consider increasing the number of beneficiaries of the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) so that they can buy fertilizer at an affordable price and contribute to efforts of attaining food security.

Before visiting Paramount Chief Kawinga's residence, Usi toured Liwonde Market, Nsanama and Ntaja trading centres.

By Mana Reporter

Zomba, November 27, Mana: The 2024/25 Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) has raised hope for many smallholder farmers in Zomba, promising improved food security and economic stability for farming households.

For Zione Hassan, a 32-year-old single mother of two, this year’s AIP marks a turning point. After years of poor harvests caused by limited access to essential inputs, Zione finally received fertilizer and seeds through the initiative. The program, aimed at over 1.1 million beneficiaries nationwide, is designed to help farmers improve yields and break the cycle of hunger.

"With the fertilizer and seeds, I am hopeful that my harvests will improve, and I can provide for my children’s education. In the long run, I want to grow my income through agribusiness to afford to pay for their school fees," she says, adding that feeding her children well and educating them is her top priority. 

The story is similar for Charles Likoya, another Zomba-based AIP beneficiary, who previously struggled to harvest enough yield due to lack of affordable fertilizers. This development had severe consequences for his family of seven, leading to food insecurity in previous seasons. Now, Likoya is optimistic about the future. 

"With the fertilizer I bought through AIP, I expect a better harvest this season. I hope this will mean more food for my family and an end to the hunger we experienced last year," he says.

For 64-year-old Lydia Ntaja, the AIP has been a lifeline, helping her take care of her two grandchildren whose mother works as a housemaid outside town and only sends home a small portion of her earnings to support the household.

Consequently, Ntaja often rented out part of her farmland for MK15,000 a month just to survive. However, this income was insufficient to afford commercial fertilizers, leading to poor yields. But now with the government covering most of the input costs through AIP, she managed to purchase two bags of fertilizer using her savings and part of the proceeds from her daughter. 

"This program has eased my burden. I believe I will now be able to harvest enough to feed my family and maybe even sell a little to earn some money," she says.

Zomba AIP Coordinator, Limbani Thangata, discloses that the district has 35,174 beneficiaries in this year’s programmes. He also highlights the 2024/25 AIP’s potential to improve food security in the district. 

"This programme is crucial for addressing food insecurity and poverty. That is why we are urging beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and avoid selling them to ensure the programme achieves its intended impact," he says.

Senior Chief Malemia concurs with Thangata but stresses the need for expansion and complementary measures to strengthen this year’s AIP impact.

"The government should increase the number of beneficiaries. Other players such as One Acre Fund should also complement these efforts by increasing the reach of their seed and fertiliser input loan programme. We’ve seen how their support helps farmers overcome hunger and grow economically," he advises.

The senior chief also encourages farmers to use organic fertilizers such as manure as a cost-effective alternative besides other sustainable practices.

According to Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator for Malosa, Stanslous Minjolo, organic fertilisers can help farmers whose fields have sandy-loam soils that lose nutrients easily.

“Such soils do not hold water so, combining organic and inorganic fertilizers can significantly boost crop yields," he explains.

With more beneficiaries expressing hope in this year’s AIP programme, farmers in Zomba are also looking forward to better harvests as they prepare for the 2024/25 growing season.

By Leah Malimbasa

Blantyre, 27 November, Mana: Farmers and fertilizer distributors at Lirangwe Trading Centre in Blantyre have said the updated Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) system has helped to curb unscrupulous traders that previously exploited the programme by posing as beneficiaries. 

Speaking to Mana on Wednesday, Sautso Mustafa, a farmer from Chapasuka Village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chigaru in Blantyre, said in the past it was easy for vendors to infiltrate the system, a move that deprived many genuine beneficiaries. 

“The vendors had their ways of buying the subsidized farm inputs using the National Identity Cards (IDs) at the expense of legitimate poor farmers,” she said.

Freen Masiye, who is also a smallholder farmer, agrees with Mustafa that the system is good because it deters misuse.

According to Lirangwe Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Outlet Sales Officer, Lexa Makina, the new system has simplified their work and increased accountability.  

"We now verify every beneficiary through their details before selling the fertilizer to ensure that the subsidized inputs go to the intended beneficiaries, not vendors," adds Makina. 

Some farmers and distributors also said the AIP’s tighter controls have restored confidence in its ability to support smallholder farmers, but urged authorities to address network glitches that sometimes cause delays in purchasing the fertilizer at some selling points.