National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) has urged young Malawians to take full responsibility for the loans they access from the fund, particularly those aimed at boosting agribusiness through micro-irrigation farming.
Speaking during a youth sensitisation meeting held in Blantyre on Monday, NEEF Chief Executive Officer Humphrey Mdyetseni expressed concern over a growing trend where some youths have misconception that they are not obliged to repay the loans.
He stressed that such attitudes are detrimental to the fund’s sustainability and its goal of empowering communities.
“Some young people think they can access these loans without facing any consequences if they do not repay. This mindset is wrong and must be corrected,” said Mdyetseni.
The sensitisation session targeted youth from Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Thyolo and Blantyre districts. It is aimed at encouraging responsible borrowing and highlight the importance of investing in viable income-generating activities, especially in the agricultural sector.
Andrew Chimpololo, Regional Coordinator for Youth Empowerment in the Southern Region, noted that many youths are enthusiastic about taking up agribusiness opportunities through NEEF support.
“These loans are a stepping stone for youths to become self-reliant through ventures like farming and agribusiness,” he said.
As part of ongoing monitoring efforts, Mdyetseni visited two successful farming groups this week in the southern region. These are among the many beneficiaries of the K24 billion disbursed this year by NEEF for micro-irrigation farming.
One of the groups visited, Chisakalime, is located in Traditional Authority Chimpango in Blantyre and comprises 50 members cultivating a total of 52 hectares.
The second group, Mwangidzi, is based in Chimpazi Village under Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno District also with 50 members working on 70 hectares of irrigated farmland.
Mdyetseni praised the two groups for demonstrating how the loans can be used effectively to improve livelihoods and contribute to food security.
He also reminded beneficiaries that the fund relies on repayments to support other aspiring entrepreneurs.
“Loan repayment is not optional. It is a duty that ensures others can benefit too,” he said.
NEEF continues to play a vital role in supporting youths and small-scale farmers across Malawi through financial and technical empowerment programmes.
