The villagers said they have spent over six days in selling depots to buy fertilizer but in vain. The angry villagers are from the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Kasumbu.

Sheikh Hassan Kazembe, one of the disgruntled villagers, said no single selling depot was opened in T/A Kasumbu such that the villagers are travelling long distances to Dedza boma where they are spending nights sleeping in depots without buying the fertilizer.

Yesterday, some of the villagers were admitted to Dedza hospital after they collapsed on the queue. Spokesperson for Dedza District Council, Yohane Bilesi, acknowledged the situation of the villagers saying some companies contracted to sell inputs run out of fertilizer and are working to replenish.