AIP beneficiaries bemoan long distance in Balaka

Beneficiaries of the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) in Balaka have complained about the long distance to access cheap farm inputs.

Some of the beneficiaries, Mike Sumaila and Adam Patrick said they travel a distance of over 70 kilometer to access the inputs at Balaka Boma.

Sumaila said, “We use K35 000 for transport and K30 000 for two bags of fertilizer, which is a big challenge to us.”

This has brought fear to the beneficiaries thinking that farmers can sell their coupons to avoid more cost.

Acting District Commissioner for Balaka, Darwin Mgoli has acknowledged the challenge.

According to Mgoli, informing the ministry of agriculture to increase the selling points in the district would help to reduce the problem.