MBS Public Relations Officer, Monica Khombe, says the exercise is progressing well.

She says the Bureau has quarantined some fertilizer which failed to meet the standards and has advised some traders on what to do to meet the standards.

“There is compliance with standards in some areas but some are not complying. Another challenge that we have observed is failure by suppliers to label on the bags the crops that need the particular fertilizer.

“However, the challenges that are there are not very serious and can be corrected,” she said.

Meanwhile, president of Farmers Union of Malawi, Flyton Njolomole, has urged MBS to sustain the exercise, saying it will ensure that farmers access quality farm inputs.

“What the Bureau is doing is what we have been looking for. It is important that farmers buy standard inputs with recommended weight. We therefore commend the Bureau for the exercise,” he said.

The Bureau sent out officers to assess fertilizer standards on markets to save farmers from fraudsters who sell substandard fertilizer and to complement government’s Affordable Input Programme efforts in promoting food security.