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| National |
| No maize seeds in next year’s Tip |
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by
Joseph Langa, 29 October 2003
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17:59:14
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Pockets of starter pack distributed under the Targeted Input Programme (TIP) will from next season not contain maize seeds but fertilizer and legumes only.
Only farmers with their own seeds will benefit from the programme.
Lilongwe Agricultural Development Division programme manager Timothy Chunga said in the capital city on Tuesday that pockets of starter pack, which originally contained 2kg of maize, 10kg of Urea fertilizer and 1kg of legumes will only be given to farmers who will have their own seeds.
Chunga said this at Nathenje Rural Training Centre where his division awarded prizes to 2002/2003 TIP beneficiaries in the division who realised better yields last year.
Secretary for Agriculture Charles Matabwa confirmed in a separate interview, saying the mechanism has been dictated by Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID) which is funding the programme.
Chunga advised the farmers to keep some seeds from the open pollinated maize varieties that they will receive this season for use as seeds during the next season because.
Matabwa added said the decision has been made by DFID but pointed out that his ministry does not see anything with the arrangement because farmers have already been advised to keep seeds.
“Every farmer is supposed to keep their own seeds. It is the donors, DFID who have dictated this. Farmers were sensitised from last year and there is nothing wrong with the development because it’s the commanders of TIP that have said this,” said Matabwa. |
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