By Nelson Gonjani:
President Lazarus Chakwera has called on the National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) to expedite the process of distributing farm input loans, emphasising that the rainy season is here.
Chakwera made the call yesterday during a whistle-stop tour at Kaphaizi Trading Centre in Kasungu District.
The directive came after Kasungu traditional leaders expressed worry over the slow pace of the loan distribution process, saying processes may be overtaken by the onset of rains.
“Kasungu is a well-known farming district, and I am urging Neef to accelerate the process for those who have applied for farm input loans,” Chakwera said.
The President also noted the need to expand the reach of the Affordable Farm Inputs Programme (AIP) to include more beneficiaries.
“I will direct the Ministry of Agriculture to implement strategies that will ensure that all deserving farmers are able to benefit from the AIP,” he said.
Chakwera acknowledged that Kasungu, like many other areas, was grappling with food insecurity and stressed the importance of providing support to those affected by hunger.
“I fully understand that Kasungu has been impacted by hunger. We had planned to distribute maize in January, and that is why we have already begun maize distribution through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs,” Chakwera said.
He also encouraged people to register so that they may vote in the September 16 2025 Local Government, Parliamentary and Presidential Elections.
This elated Traditional Authority Kaphaizi, who said the President’s directive was timely.
“The vast majority of people in Kasungu are farmers. So, accelerating the loan process would greatly benefit us,” Kaphaizi said.
Chakwera began his whistle-stop tour in Kasungu on Monday following visits to Dowa, Ntchisi, Mchinji, Salima and Nkhotakota.
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