Thyolo District Council has assured that all 56,171 eligible farmers will benefit from the Farm Inputs Subsidy Program  (AIP) this farming season.

District Commissioner Hudson Kuphanga said this in an intervie with Zodiak Online today, following reports that some traditional leaders were allegedly registering unqualified individuals.

“As a council, we are closely monitoring the exercise to ensure that only the rightful beneficiaries are captured. Our office is alert on these issues,” said Kuphanga.

He further dismissed reports suggesting manipulation of the programme as false.

“Those claims are not true. People should ignore such misinformation because we are following proper procedures,” he added.

Meanwhile, Thyolo District Agriculture Development Officer, Jackson Dziko Mvula, said registration and identification of beneficiaries are progressing well through digital systems.

“The process has started well using modern technology, though we are facing a few challenges in some areas where there is no network,” explained Mvula.

He said the council is working to resolve these network-related issues to ensure that all deserving farmers are registered in time.

At least 1.1 million beneficiaries are expected to buy urea and NPK fertilizer in the program this farming season.