Hudson Kuphanga says government has put in place strong monitoring systems to ensure transparency and fairness in this year’s agricultural input distribution.
By Burnett Munthali
Thyolo District Commissioner, Hudson Kuphanga, has warned all traditional leaders in the district against engaging in corrupt practices involving the government’s Affordable Farm Input Programme for the 2025/2026 farming season.
Speaking to Nation Online, Kuphanga said government has established several measures to safeguard the registration and distribution process for beneficiaries of the programme.
He emphasized that any chiefs or local leaders planning to manipulate the system or engage in fraudulent activities should abandon such intentions immediately.
“We have put in place different systems to protect the integrity of the farmers’ registration process, and those thinking of cheating should forget it,” said Kuphanga.
Meanwhile, the district’s agriculture development officer, Jackson Mvula, said the registration of farmers is progressing well despite occasional network challenges affecting data entry systems.
He commended farmers in Thyolo for cooperating fully with agricultural officers and showing great enthusiasm for the programme.
According to Mvula, a total of 56,171 farmers are expected to benefit from the initiative this year.
Each beneficiary will purchase one 50-kilogram bag of Urea and one 50-kilogram bag of NPK fertilizer at a subsidized price of K10,000 per bag.
In addition, every registered farmer will receive five kilograms of improved seed of one selected crop variety to support production during the upcoming farming season.
The officials emphasized that the programme aims to enhance food security, improve crop yields, and strengthen the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the district.
They also reiterated that transparency and accountability will remain central to the success of the initiative, ensuring that only deserving beneficiaries receive the inputs.
