Subsidized Farm Inputs Overcoming Food Insecurity, Boosting Incomes

Beneficiaries of the subsidized farm inputs programme under the Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP II), financed by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), have hailed the initiative as a real game changer in achieving household food security.

Through the initiative, maize seed is fully paid for by the project, meaning farmers redeem it at no cost, while fertilisers are accessed at a subsidized price of K10,000 per 50-kilogramme bag, in line with the government’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP).

One of the beneficiaries, Lezina Keliyasi, explained that after being shortlisted as one of the recipients of the subsidized inputs, preparations in her maize field began in earnest.

She confessed that previously she practiced farming without giving proper care to her crops and often applied insufficient fertiliser, but now her approach has changed.

“The coming in of affordable fertiliser from SAPP II has enabled me to apply it in my maize garden this year, and the expectation is that I will have a bumper harvest of not less than 80 bags per acre.

Here in Traditional Authority Kalumbu’s area, we used to harvest maize, but it was never enough to sustain our household throughout the year. This time around, as a family, we will have enough to eat and some to sell. We expect to do more business, as SAPP II is encouraging us to generate more income,” said Keliyasi.

SAPP II follows the earlier Sustainable Agriculture Production Programme (SAPP), which was also funded by IFAD and supported farmers through various interventions, including the livestock pass-on programme.

SAPP II includes the Response to Emergencies and Disasters (RED) component, which primarily focuses on improving household food security. The component complements FISP by targeting smallholder farmers affected by disasters. However, some beneficiaries under the programme have reported increased prospects for earning income from their yields.

Keliyasi has since urged fellow farmers to be proactive, determined, and make use of organic manure for their crops so that they do not rely solely on government support.

Senior Group Village Headman Kalumbu, from Traditional Authority Kalumbu in Lilongwe, expressed satisfaction with the progress made.

The chief explained that when the RED component was introduced in Nyanja Extension Planning Area (EPA), identified beneficiaries received free certified maize seed and were able to redeem fertiliser on time.

Senior Group Village Headman Kalumbu said farmers are expecting to harvest more than 80 bags, thanks to the guidance from extension staff who encouraged them to adopt good agricultural practices.

He further called on his subjects to actively participate in farming activities in order to achieve both food security and improved household incomes.