By Joel Phiri
Vice President Dr Jane Ansah has challenged communities in Traditional Authority Chindi in Mzimba District to intensify farming activities to achieve food security and avoid reliance on relief food in the coming years.
Dr Ansah made the remarks on Sunday at Chiseng’ezi Primary School Grounds in Mzimba during the distribution of relief maize under the 2025/2026 Lean Season Food Response Programme, where 263 beneficiaries received maize to cushion them against hunger.
She said government remains committed to addressing food insecurity affecting many Malawians, noting that the relief programme is part of the administration’s broader agenda to ensure that no citizen dies of hunger.
“When President Arthur Peter Mutharika assumed office, he pledged that no Malawian should die of hunger. This food response programme is a fulfilment of that promise,” said Ansah.
However, the Vice President urged beneficiaries not to view food aid as a permanent solution, but as temporary support to help them recover from challenges experienced during the previous farming season.“We know that you faced hunger because last season was characterised by erratic rainfall, pest infestations and the high cost of fertiliser. Government has responded by providing subsidised fertiliser this season to ensure every eligible farmer accesses it,” she said.
Ansah appealed to beneficiaries to make proper use of the subsidised inputs by working hard in their fields so that they harvest enough food.
“Our appeal is that you work diligently in your fields so that next year we should not be here distributing maize. The goal is for you to be self-reliant and food secure,” she added.
The Vice President also urged Malawians to avoid taking their own lives due to financial or social challenges, assuring them that government is working tirelessly to improve the economy and create opportunities for all.
“There will be K100 million allocated for youth initiatives and another K100 million for women. Do not despair because of problems. We are seeing improvements such as fuel availability and declining prices of basic commodities. Life will be bearable,” she said.
In his remarks, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V commended government for the timely maize distribution, saying it would cushion vulnerable households from hunger.“We thank you for coming to distribute maize. This will go a long way in easing hunger. However, we appeal to government to expedite fertiliser distribution because most farmers have already planted and are waiting to apply fertiliser,” said M’mbelwa.
He also warned beneficiaries against selling the relief maize, saying doing so defeats the purpose of the programme.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni, said government will continue implementing the Lean Season Food Response Programme until March next year to ensure vulnerable households are protected from hunger.
One of the beneficiaries, Efinesi Chingambi, applauded government for the food aid, saying many vulnerable households were on the verge of facing hunger.
