The Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) President Enock Kanzingeni Chihana says agriculture is the “spine of Malawi’s economy” and has called upon government to stop playing with lives of Malawians by using “dobadobas” when purchasing fertilizer from abroad which has resulted into dubious deals.
Chihana was speaking at Bvumbwe Research Ground in Thyolo district as he continues to pitch his message of unity, federal system of government and governance among others.
In his remarks, Chihana warned government against playing with poor Malawians lives by among others buying fertilizer from middlemen who continue to dwindle poor Malawians taxes just to enrich the elites.
“Stop buying fertilizer like zitumbuwa. It is the responsibility of every government to help farmers as the country cannot be prosperous unless farmers are prosperous,” said Chihana while reminding President Chakwera that there is discontent in the country on fertilizer issue because of his poor policies.
Chihana also announced that under his administration, the AIP will be divided into two groups, one to be run by Ministry of Women, Gender and Community Development to cater for the disadvantaged in the country like the elderly, people with disabilities, orphans among others because history has shown that ministry of agriculture has failed to consider their aspirations and the other one will be run by the Ministry of Agriculture to cater for cooperatives and larger scale farmers who are drivers of the economy.
He further saluted late president Professor Bingu Wa Mutharika for his vision in transforming the agriculture sector by among other constructing maize silos across the country which was giant step towards eradicating hunger in the country.
Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy because over 75% of population depends on agriculture and agribusiness for income and food in the country.
Malawi’s Affordable Input Program (AIP) continues to face enormous problems because of corruption at the echelons of power.
Currently, Malawi is facing huge shortage of forex because it has no capacity to export farm produce to earn foreign exchange.
Malawi’s Affordable Input Program (AIP) is marred with irregularities due to corruption at the echelons of power as most senior government officials are deemed to be getting Kickbacks from the dobadobas after giving them tenders.
