The Ministry of Agriculture is developing a new Affordable Input Programme (AIP) model that includes trimming the beneficiaries’ list on the basis that some were selling the commodities.
This development comes in after Agriculture authorities are being tipped to tackle the downsizing process of the (AIP) with caution, to avoid victimizing deserving beneficiaries.
It is not yet known how many beneficiaries would be removed from the list but the Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) fears that the process could backfire if relevant stakeholders are not involved.
FUM President, Frighton Njolomole, has warned that removal of deserving beneficiaries could worsen the programme, which has already been marred by irregularities this season.