Farm Input Subsidy coupons on sale in Salima
Businesspersons are flocking to Salima district to buy Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) coupons from farmers.
During the distribution exercise which lasted four days from Monday to Thursday last week, Malawi News Agency (Mana) visited at least seven centres where vendors coming on motor vehicles and motor bikes were seen engaging the beneficiaries.
In an interview, one buyer, Matthew Chan’gamba, who offered to sale this reporter a coupon at K7 500, revealed that in three days he bought 50 coupons.
“As of today, I have over 50 coupons at my place, we are buying the maize coupon at K2 500 and the fertiliser coupon at K5 000. If you want some, you can just call me,” he said.
A business woman who pleaded for anonymity also revealed to have bought over 100 coupons.
“We have been in the centres throughout the district and as I am speaking, we have over 100 coupons of fertiliser and seeds,” she said.
A farmer who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he sold his coupons because he had no money to top up the fertiliser price and had already planted maize.
“I have already planted recycled maize and it has germinated so I do not see the reason for me to keep the coupon,” he said.
Salima District Agriculture Development Office crop officer Jayaka Kipandula said it is possible that some beneficiaries could be selling the coupons.
Traditional Authority Maganga said cases of coupon selling are always there and it is difficult to prevent them
