The Farmers Union of Malawi has finally broken its silence over the decision by government to suspend redemption of fertilizer under the affordable input program.
A few weeks ago, government announced that it had suspended the redemption of fertilizer under the program to allow authorities clear a backlog of beneficiaries whose national IDs were already scanned.
However, in a written response to MIJ Online, Manes Nkhata, Farmers Union of Malawi-FUM president, said government’s decision will greatly affect the farmers who rely on the program to have access to cheap fertilizer.
Manes has this far challenged authorities to ensure that all farmers benefit from this years’ AIP program.
Meanwhile, Ronald Chilumpha, a food security expert, has told MIJ Online that the decision will not help a small scale farmer be food secure hence subjecting the country to food insecurity.