According to one of the beneficiaries, Fredrick Namuru, people of Nkhulambe area are walking long distances to buy fertilizer at Chiringa Trading Centre.

Namuru said the development is negatively affecting people such as the elderly since they cannot afford to cover long distances to buy farm inputs.

He has asked authorities to ensure that the farm inputs such as fertilizer is available in all centres so that beneficiaries should not walk long distances.

Speaking to Zodiak Online on Monday, district agriculture development officer for Phalombe, David Alli, said late awarding of contracts to suppliers has contributed to the delay.

Alli said the district has enough suppliers who are expected to be in all the designated selling points to ensure that all the beneficiaries have access to the farm inputs.

During the programme launch, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Kondwani Nankhumwa, promised to have an organized program this year.