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| National |
| Tip on course—Chihana |
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by
Emmanuel Muwamba, 18 November 2004
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09:21:12
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Minister of Agriculture Chakufwa Chihana on Wednesday said the Targeted Input Programme (Tip) is still in course despite the onset of rains and that some farmers have already started planting in other parts of the Southern Region.
In an interview at Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) Chirimba depot in Blantyre, Chihana admitted that the programme suffered a setback of logistics.
He said there was a standoff with transporters who were demanding K9 per tonne per kilometre while government was offering K8 which it has since raised.
“The transport problem is there. I hope transporters will be satisfied with the standard rate of K8.50 per tonne per kilometre. But the programme is on course,” said Chihana.
Asked whether the transporters agree with the rate, Road Transporters Association executive director Shadreck Matsimbe said Tip transportation is being handled by Siku Transport and “if anything we shall come in as subcontractors on transport.”
Matsimbe explained that he is expected to meet Siku today to discuss the matter. Efforts to talk to Siku on the phone failed on Wednesday.
The agriculture minister added that 500,000 families will benefit from the fertiliser subsidy where government will issue a K1,400 purple voucher to buy a bag of fertiliser which normally goes at K2,800 ($26) normal price. The difference will be met by the beneficiary.
Chihana said Tip distribution is expected to finish during the first week of January, 2005 in the Southern Region. He did not commit himself on when the other two regions will get the inputs.
SFFRFM depot manager Patrick Milanzi said his organisation has been contracted to distribute the Tip to Zomba, Thyolo and Chiradzulu which will benefit 119,932 families.
During the visit it was observed that workers in the depot were still packing the Urea and NPK (23:21:0+4S) 25 kg fertiliser, 5 kg of maize seed and 1 kg of legume seed.
This year’s Tip was launched in Mutharika’s home area, T/A Chimaliro in Thyolo where there will be by-elections in January.
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