Minister of Youth Richard Chimwendo Banda has replaced Agriculture minister Sam Kawale as chairperson for the Affordable Input Program (AIP) taskforce.

Government spokesperson Gospel Kazako confirmed of the appointing saying President Lazarus Chakwera made the appointment effective yesterday.

Chimwendo Banda has been a member of the taskforce which was appointed by Chakwera to support the implementation of AIP after noticing some challenges.

Kazako has also cleared the mist surrounding the recent visit to South Africa by Chimwendo Banda and National Unity Minister Timothy Mtambo to talk to fertiliser manufacturers in the rainbow nation, saying the there is nothing fishy about it as they were sent by the taskforce.

According to Kazako, while Mtambo and Chimwendo Banda were sent to South Africa, another delegation of Transport Minister Jacob Hara and Sam Kawale went to Mozambique on a similar mission.