The Tonse Alliance government has hiked the price of fertilizer under the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) from Mk4,500.00 to Mk7,500.

Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe confirmed of the development during a media briefing in the capital Lilongwe.

Lowe said the price has been arrived at after consultation with various stakeholders across the country.

He also said that the number of beneficiaries has been maintained at 3.7 million.

He said Input packages have also been maintained at 1 bag of Urea, NPK and 1 seed pack.

On livestock, Lowe says government will provide two goats to selected households in Chikwawa.

He added that a bag of fertilizer is now being sold at K27, 000 per bag and government contribution will be k19,500, therefore a farmer will make a contribution of k7,500.

For Seeds, Lowe says government contribution will be k3365 contribution and the farmers contribution will be determined based on the market price.