Presidential Initiative releases MK40m to Kasungu for buying Soya beans
Farmers in areas of senior chiefs Lukwa and Kaomba are all smiles as the government through Presidential Initiative on Poverty and Hunger Reduction (PIPaHR) has released funds close to MK 40 million to be used for purchasing soya beans produce.
This comes amid discontent from some farmers who run out of patience accusing the initiative of taking long to buy their soya commodity.
However, the initiative pleaded with the farmers not to lose heart, saying government was addressing the issue by mobilizing financial resources.
PIPaHR national coordinator Flora Kaluwile confirmed about the financial commitment her department has made to soya farmers in Kasungu district.
“It is true we had problems in Kasungu. This emanated from the fact that we had huge supply of soya from farmers which surpassed our financial capital; this forced us to halt the buying process in order to look for resources elsewhere.
“But as I’m speaking, the problem has been addressed as my office has just disbursed MK27 million and MK10 million to farmers under the trusts of senior chiefs Kaomba and Lukwa respectively,” said Kaluwile.
Kaluwile added that the role of PIPaHR is to eradicate poverty at household level across the country through programmes her office is spearheading such as legume seed distribution, a cow per family, as well as two crops per year through irrigation.
She emphasized that the programmes her office is implementing are only complementing grain trader Admarc’s efforts.
“As PIPaHR we are not competing in any way with Admarc. Infact we are all complementing government’s agenda of eradicating poverty,” added Kaluwile.
Speaking in separate interviews Kaomba and Lukwa also confirmed the development.
Said Kaomba: “As Chilanga trust we have indeed received money close to K27million for the soya farmers brought to our warehouse. We had over 6000 bags of soya that were not paid for and this brought anxiety from some farmers.
“As chairman of the trust I’m very thankful to the government of Dr. Joyce Banda for introducing programmes that are directly benefiting the poor. I will do everything within my powers to ensure that the president’s vision of making poverty history in Malawi is realized.”
On his part, senior chief Lukwa said the development has given farmers the zeal to increase their production for the next growing season.
“What has happened in my area, especially to farmer who belong to Lifupa farms association and Mkanyanga cooperative, is enough reason to conclude that the government of Dr. Joyce Banda is indeed here to serve the interest of poor Malawians. One can easily tell that the President through PIPaHR is creating an opportunity for farmers to reap from their hard work.
“This has also coincided with the tobacco season and I tell you we are all happy here in Kasungu because for the first time since the time of Dr. Kamuzu Banda we can afford a smile once again,” said Lukwa.
According to the ministry of agriculture officials Malawi is expected to harvest unprecedented legume production of over 700 000 metric tonnes.
This would result in Malawi earning over MK15 billion from legume exports, a development that has largely been attributed to PIPaHR’s seed distribution programme.
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