Minister of Agriculture Sam Dalitso Kawale has said all preparatory work for the successful implementation of this year’s Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) is over.

Kawale said this in a statement posted on his official facebook page seen by this publication.

“During the past six weeks, we have managed to do the preparatory work of ensuring that this year’s AIP is successful.

“Hon. Jacob Hara and myself traveled to Maputo, Beira, and Nacara, where we met government officials, Port officials, fertilizer companies, logistics companies, warehouse managers, and railway companies, to coordinate the delivery of fertilizer to Malawi,” wrote Kawale.

He added: “Our first meeting was with the Minister of Transport of Mozambique. Our discussions focused much on how the Mozambique government would assist us to deliver all the fertilizer we need, not just for this year, but for years to come.

“After this meeting, Hon. Hara and I went to Beira for meetings with Port Authorities and other stakeholders.”

President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera last week fired Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe over AIP mess which saw government being duped MK750 million.