Zomba Area Development Committee Demands AIP Revision
Zomba District has a total of 50,552 beneficiaries, with representation from various areas and traditional authorities.
Zomba, Malawi - The Chikowi Area Development Committee has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Zomba District Council, demanding a revision of the processes involved in the Affordable Input Program (AIP). Failure to do so will result in demonstrations, writes Peter Davieson.
This call was made last Friday following revelations that 11 group villages under Mtonya Constituency, Traditional Authority Chikowi, did not benefit from the AIP.
Group Village Headman Kapachika from Senior Chief Lambulira, during an interview, hinted that he was aware the government had reduced the number of beneficiaries.
However, what concerned them was the lack of transparency in the beneficiary selection process.
"I am very aware that numbers have reduced, but what worried us is that TA Chikowi is one of the biggest TAs in Zomba, with more than 50 group villages. During the AIP processes, we were told that those with less than one acre of land would not benefit. In our area, more people who have not received AIP have more than one acre of land. Eleven group village headmen have no beneficiary, while others, mainly from urban areas, have benefited. So we are giving them seven days to address our concerns, and if they fail, we will protest at their offices," Kapachika said.
He added that people in rural areas were already struggling to get food, and their hope rested on the AIP.
Reducing the number of beneficiaries and excluding some from the program would have negative effects on their lives, leading to a rise in immoral behaviour.
Melesia Singano from Kuipululu Village expressed her worries. She said she had gone without food for three days and was hoping that she would receive AIP coupons next year to help support her family.
"I am very worried about what will happen to us. We haven't had nsima for three days, and we are relying on mangoes. I was hoping that if I got the coupon, it would save us. But now I have no job, no piece of work. How am I going to buy fertilizer?" she said.
Linda Mphande, the Director of Agriculture and Natural Resources for Zomba District Council, explained that the government recognized those with one acre of farmland and included them in the program.
She added that the beneficiary selection process was determined by the Ministry, not the District Council. While some areas had zero beneficiaries, the council had no authority to intervene in the selection process.
Zomba District has a total of 50,552 beneficiaries, with representation from various areas and traditional authorities.