Coupons for Farm Input Subsidy Programme finally arrives in Malawi
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda on Sunday announced that the much awaited Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) coupons arrived in Malawi on Sunday from the printers.
Speaking at Masintha ground where President Peter Mutharika was addressing the political rally, Chaponda assured farmers not to panick, saying coupon distribution exercise will start immediately.
“We are sure that by December, all beneficiaries will have received their coupons,” said Chaponda.
Commenting on hunger in the country, Chaponda assured Malawians that no one will die of hunger saying ADMARC has enough stock in their warehouses.
“We have bought enough maize that no one will die of hunger,” said Chaponda.
Initially, government announced that Fisp coupons would be ready on October 15, but later pushed the deadline to end of October, citing a change in printer agents.
This is the first year since the inception of the programme in 2005 that government has decided to let it be run by private sector. About 60 percent of the programme which translates to 54 000 tonnes will be retailed by the private sector.
On the other hand, 36 000 tonnes will be redeemed through State agencies, Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) and Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM).
There are 27 companies contracted to participate in the retailing of the 54 000 tonnes.
How can we smile while we know that themselves are chief beneficiaries sidelining the poor. shameful administration.
Only a fool can smile at distribution of coupons in December when it should have happened in August or September that is if farming was taken seriously as we tout it the backbone of the country’s economy.
Who brought this system of Subsidy fertilizer? Its is a corripted system which has made unfair to many small farmers and expensive. What went wrong with The old Kamuzu System of Admarc? During Banda there was NO hunger or shortage of food in Malawi. Why? As soon as Muluzi took over hunger started. And it has continued. Subsidy fertilizer was introduced During Bingu and White or donors agreed because the man was educated knew What he was doing. Chakwela has critised the system but Malawians always attack him in ignorance way. Who gets coupons? Party loyalities. If u are not… Read more »
Bwana Chaponda’s big smile is not based only on the good news about the coupons. No. A big part of his delight is from the mass defections to his Party. More competition in DPP – a good thing. These defections could be interpreted as results of the initial tremors of a PP (earth)quake; with aftershocks and a tsunami yet to follow. It’s gonna be a lonely cold winter for JB in the US. And she has no shoulders to rest on while there; so she should consider coming back home, where at least she can cry among her relatives, in… Read more »