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Communities Suggests an MOU With AIP Suppliers

AIP Accountability Club member making a point AIP Accountability Club member making a point

Some Community members in Salima want suppliers of the Affordable Inputs Programme this year to sign an MOU with community representatives from the area where they have been assigned as one way of addressing the issue of suppliers shunning rural areas.

Chairperson of Matenje Extension Planning Area, Affordable Inputs Programme Accountability Club, Alefa Gideon said this Saturday during an interactive session organised by Salima Governance Network SAGNET, who are tracking AIP progress in the district.

Gideon said there is a need for suppliers to be signing a commitment with local committees learning from the experience in the first year of the government initiative.

"Last season most beneficiaries from the hard to reach areas were affected and bought the inputs very late because suppliers were shunning our areas, preferring big trading centres," she said.

She, however, complained about the national identity cards renewal pleading with authorities to consider reestablishing centres in wards saying this has the potential of affecting the AIP.

Salima Governance Network SAGNET project Officer Henry Thoza says will help in pushing for the idea so that this year the programme runs smoothly.

"We have taken note of their concerns and we will stand with them to ensure there are no other impediments that would affect the programme and this is the sole purpose of our project," Thoza said.

Meanwhile, a representative from the District Agriculture Development Office Oswald Gandigandi says the suggestion by the communities is valid and will try to push for it.

"Already this is what is supposed to be happening, once a supplier has been assigned to an area they need to meet the people there to find a better place to set the market and discuss other issues, so as an office we will initiate this meeting," said Gandigandi.

SAGNET with Support from Tilitonse Foundation is implementing a project in the district aimed at tracking AIP progress to the end of the season.

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Last modified on Monday, 26/07/2021

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