Chakwera assures Malawians the availability of AIP Fertilizer

His Excellency Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has assured Malawians that his government is working tirelessly to make sure that the Affordable Input Program Fertilizer is available in the country.

Speaking during the National address delivered at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Tuesday Night, the Malawi leader said his government has already managed to procure 35000 metric tonnes of NPK and 31727 metric tonnes of Urea and has already arrived in the country.

“In the second week of September, I convened an emergency cabinet meeting to tackle the matter of Affordable Inputs Programme and form a cabinet meeting chaired by Honourable Sam Kawale who was the minister of Land, to oversee the emergency procurement of the Fertilizer for this year’s AIP.

“In the sixth week, the Committee has paid since its formation. They have engaged relevant and necessary stakeholders both here and abroad to ensure the delivery of the Fertilizer that we need as a country.

“Since we are in an emergency situation, the Committee was given the mandate to use all means to secure the necessary Volume of Fertilizer including identifying fertilizer already in the custody of local suppliers.

“So far, 35000 metric tonnes of NPK and 31727 metric tonnes of Urea are already in the country. 7000 metric tonnes of NPK is on its way from Beira, Mozambique, 51,500 metric tonnes of NPK has been identified abroad and financing options and procurement procedures are being pursued and 31,500 metric tonnes of Urea has also been secured from abroad. 15,500 metric tonnes of it has already started being transported to Malawi while the remainder has been delivered at the port of Beira to be transported to Malawi,” said Chakwera.

He added that the Fertilizer will be delivered with speed and a small shortfall in the supply will be covered.