The Ministry of Agriculture has reassured farmers of the government’s full preparedness for the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the upcoming 2024/25 farming season. Speaking at a press briefing on Monday at the Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund Warehouse in Kanengo, Lilongwe, Agriculture Minister Kawale highlighted the government’s strong commitment to supporting commercial-oriented farming households.
Kawale outlined several initiatives designed to uplift the agricultural sector, including Farm Input Loans through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF), large-scale farming support under AGCOM 2, and the Mega Farm Support Unit. He also pointed to AGRA’s Youth Entrepreneurship for the Future of Food Agriculture Programme (YEFFAP) and the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme 2 (SAPP2) as key drivers for sustainable growth.
The Minister revealed plans to assist over two million households with food aid, cash transfers, and grants, complementing efforts by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DODMA) to aid vulnerable families.
Kawale also announced the Ministry’s transition to digital agriculture to boost data usage and system integration, ensuring more targeted support for farmers through platforms like the National Agriculture Management Information System (NAMIS) and Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR). He emphasized that these tools will help identify productive farmers and ensure equitable resource allocation.
To further enhance productivity, AIP beneficiaries will receive tailored input packages based on their farming needs, and farmers will contribute to the program’s costs. The government also plans to introduce organic fertilizers and new crop varieties to improve soil health and agricultural output.
“Our focus is on identifying productive farmers through the NAMIS census and ensuring resources are allocated fairly for the benefit of all,” said Kawale.
