Don’t sell subsidised farm inputs—police
Kanengo Police Station has warned Chipiku Stores and Farmers World Organisation officials against engaging in corrupt practices when selling farm inputs under Affordable Input Programme (AIP).
Speaking on Wednesday at Ngwangwa Trading Centre in Lilongwe, the station’s community policing officer Francis Phiri said corruption breeds tension at selling points.
“Corruption is evil. When depot officials engage in underhand dealings, it brings quarrels and defeats the essence of the whole programme,” he said.
The officer also urged farmers to report any corrupt officials to police.
“As police, we will never condone any dirty dealings at selling points. Don’t sell your inputs to vendors,” he said.
On his part, Ngwangwa Chipiku Stores branch manager Fyson Phiri pledged to work within the law.
He, however, bemoaned poor mobile network, saying it compromised quality delivery services.
Said Phiri: “Mobile network is poor here and we are failing to utilise it to cater for the growing numbers of beneficiaries.
“We appeal to authorities to grant us another mobile network which is efficient.”
A farmer, Alinafe Chikakuda commended police for the timely tip.
“We will abide by what the police said. It is for our own benefit. We will never be cheated by vendors who cash in on our situation,” she said.
On November 2, police in Mponela, Dowa, arrested Bowe Chipiku Stores branch manager for allegedly selling subsidised farm inputs.
President Lazarus Chakwera launched the 2020/21 AIP at Pirimiti in Zomba on October 17 this year.
