Ministry to engage MDF in AIP distribution

Ministry of Agriculture says will engage Malawi Defence Force MDF in distributing Affordable Inputs Program AIP resources in hard to reach areas.

According to Principal Secretary in the ministry of agriculture, Erica Maganga, though the program has reached 80 percent, it is still facing hiccups as some contracted suppliers have failed to reach farmers in remote areas.

Maganga said the redemption rate is lowest in hard to reach areas, particularly Mangochi and other districts in the southern region where it is at 30 percent.

She added that this has compelled the ministry to engage MDF which has vehicles that can ferry the inputs to such areas.

Speaking with Radio Islam MDF spokesperson major Paul Chphwanya confirmed that they are currently holding talks with the ministry on the issue.

He however said they are yet to reach an agreement

In his remarks, Parliamentary Committee has advised ministry of agriculture to use Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation ADMARC as lead supplier of AIP products next season.

He said using MDF in such activities may not be a good thing.

The suppliers were given eight weeks time frame for delivering the inputs to farmers but government extended after noting that some farmers were yet to redeem their inputs due to among other things network hitches.