The National Economic Empowerment Fund Limited (NEEF) recently conducted a Farm Input Loans (FIL) verification exercise, visiting farmers who have benefited from the program in South-East Region. The exercise aimed to assess the progress of crops, particularly maize, in the fields. Led by NEEF's Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Humphrey Mdyetseni, the team was thrilled to witness the remarkable success of the program.

The team paid a visit to Khwelelo Langa Youth Group from T/A Nchiramwela in Thyolo. Upon seeing the maize fields, the CEO and his entire team couldn’t hide their excitement, stating that the group's farm was a testimony to the impact of NEEF's Farm Inputs loans.

The owner of the farm, Mr. Moses Gonani, expressed his gratitude to NEEF for coming to his rescue when he needed it the most. He is hopeful that he will not experience hunger anymore this year as he expects to harvest about 30 bags of maize from his one-acre farm.
“I am very grateful to NEEF for helping me. I had no hope of finding fertilizer but because of you, I will be able to harvest more and have enough food for my family. I will also sell part of it in order to pay back my loan,” said Gonani.

However, Mr. Mdyetseni also expressed concerns about the surrounding farms, which are struggling, showing signs of nutrient deficiency and poor development due to lack of fertilizer. He then advised all the groups who conduct their farming along Nam’gogoda river in the same area to collaborate, form a cooperative and apply for NEEF Micro-Irrigation loans that are yet to start in April this year. The CEO further stressed that this would help to cover up the farmers who did not benefit from Farm Inputs Loans in the surrounding communities to escape hunger this season. The visit by NEEF officials to farms around Traditional Authority Mchiramwela revealed a concerning situation. Many farmers who did not make efforts to benefit from Farm inputs Loans are now at risk of hunger in the upcoming season. However, the promise by NEEF CEO to provide these farmers with Micro-Irrigation Loans that is yet to commence this April has given glimmer hope to all the farmers around the area. This will bridge the gap and mitigate the impending food shortage in Thyolo district.

“When everyone around you is suffering, you do not expect yourself to prosper since all you make, you end up helping the other, and in the end, you choke yourself to poverty”, Mr. Mdyetseni poignantly expressed. His statement highlights the interconnectedness of community’s wellbeing and the need for supportive initiatives that should leave no gap to poverty.

Later, the team proceeded to visit Mulanje District, Group Village Headman Kukada’s area, where Mrs. Dawa Kadoketa planted maize on a 3-acre land. Seeing the NEEF team arrive, Kadoketa expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards the Fund for the Farm Inputs loan which enabled her to achieve remarkable results.

Mr. Mdyetseni was highly impressed with Kadoketa’s farm, stating that it was one of the best performing farms that the team visited in the southern region. However, her fellow clients expressed concerns about pests (stalk-borers) rampaging their crops. These pests eventually hinder plants growth and affect the quantity as well as quality of the produce. In response to the concern, NEEF CEO directed loan officers from the area to corroborate with Agricultural Extension Development Officers to provide pesticides suitable for stalk-borers as a top up loan for all the farmers affected.

The Fund’s Board Director, Dr. Thabi Chilongo also expressed his satisfaction with the program, citing that the program is truly helping the country to combat hunger and empower the underserved.
“Upon visiting the field, I am impressed with how the crops are doing. This is in line with our vision which is to deal with hunger in the country,” said Dr. Chilongo.

These success stories demonstrate the positive impact of NEEF's Farm Input loans on Malawi's agricultural sector. By providing farmers with access to essential inputs like fertilizers and seeds, NEEF is empowering them to improve their crop yields and livelihoods. Through the program, the Fund is also determined to promote agricultural commercialization in Malawi.