Information Minister Gospel Kazako has fired warning shots to traders who are frustrating the smooth implementation of the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), saying they must stop the malpractice forthwith.

The warning comes after the Minister visited several selling points in Nsanje unannounced following reports that some traders are preventing farmers from accessing the inputs or selling underweight fertilizer.

The purpose of his visit to the Lower Shire district was to familiarise himself with the daily operations of Gaka Community Radio Station which is situated at Bangula trading centre.

Upon his arrival at Bangula, Kazako was welcomed by people who expressed concern over alleged fishy activities like selling of underweight bags of fertiliser in some of the fertilizer selling points around the area.

In the company of police officers, Kazako invaded Agora depot at Bangula.

He took to task Agora’s depot assistant manager Helson Baziwelo to confirm some of the allegations leveled against the selling point by communities.

He ordered that the bags get weighed to help establish the truth.

“I’ve seen it with my eyes. The bags of fertilizer have the recommended kilograms. This is contrary to what some people have been saying. However, as Government we will not relent. We will visit each and every station to have first hand experience.”

Baziwelo said the claims by the communities were not true.

“The main challenge that they experienced was poor network but since Monday this week the problem has been improving and beneficiaries have been buying farm inputs,” he pointed out.

AIP, which this year has targeted 4.2 million households, was initiated by the government of President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and is meant to end food insecurities