Fertiliser price K4 495 targetted for 3.5 million smallholder farmers, 2 bags each
New Minister of Finance, Felix Mlusu has announced that 3.5 million smallholder farmers will benefit from the new government subsidised fertilizer programme in the 2020 to 2021 financial year.
During campaign, President Lazarus Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima, promised to reduce fertiliser prices to K4 495 per 50 kilogramme bag.
At times the energetic Chilima lifted a 50 kilogramme bag of fertiliser to demonstrate that it will be a universal fertiliser subsidy.
But when he presented a provisional budget totalling K722.4billion which parliament subsequently adopted to fund government operations from July to October 2020, Mlusu indicated it is a targeted subsidy as it were.
He said each farmer would be able allowed to buy at least two bags of fertilizers at K4,495.00 per bag in the 2020 to 2021 financial year.
Asked on how the government would be able to fund the fertilizer subsidy in midst of dwindling revenue collection, the Minister said government would prioritise the subsidy because it would benefit many Malawians.
“We are making some savings and obviously, we are going to move some funds from non priority areas to fund that because obviously the fertilizers and all the farm inputs; that is a priority because it affects the majority of the people that we want to carter for.
“And all the savings we make are going to go towards the cost of fertilizer,” he hinted.
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Spokesperson on Finance, Joseph Mwanamvekha said although a provisional budget does not carry too many details he was looking forward to the new government fulfilling the promises it made to Malawians during the campaign period.
He said he was optimistic that the new Minister of Finance whom he described as a balanced person would keep his word having worked with him in the private sector.
The other highlights in the budget include the increasing of the tax free band from K45, 000 to K 100,000 and the revision of minimum wage from K35,000.00 a month to K50,000.
Parliament has since adjourned sine die.
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its unforunate kuti tayamba kusintha magolo game itayamba. these people are one and the same. Kome on a serious note the message was not, to benefit a particular group. When will politicians learn to say the truth before election? i am disappointed.
Zanthito zija ndiye kuti mmanamanso. Mulungu akulangeni mwa nsanga..
Hope we are have a place to farm, or we will be able to help our relatives to buy fertiliser at such little price. We will still be roaming around in the towns and cities looking for peace work and nothing changes in the next 5 years. If the person is allowed only 2 bags what if he wants more, what will be the price. More poor people will be used to buy fertiliser for the well to o bringing abuse in it. Who will refuse to be given a little something to buy fertiliser for someone in theirs word… Read more »
zitha kutheka titayamba kukondana osati kupondana monga ambili tinangol9werera corruption
presidents
ministers
mps
ps
chiefs
heads of parastatals
everyone was corrupting – mindset.
if we stick to the spirit of what we voted for then YES WE CAN MAKE THINGS CHANGE AND WORK.
A DPP BWEZANI ZOMWE MUNABA BASI
A Malawi Chilima simukamudziwa eti? Wakuyeretsani mmaso. Tsogolo lowala lija ndi limeli. Lafikatu. Anyamata akabanza amafuna kuphwanya galimoto langa anga ayamba kubangula. Amaona ngati asiya kutchova njinga nkukalowa mu office. Lero ati akuyembekedzera 1 million jobs. Haaaa. Kalanga ine! Ikanakhala DPP bwenzi Mtambo ndi Trapence ali pa nseu. Iwo zawo zayenda. Ndi awo awathokoza a satanic anzawowo kuti may gay ndi ma lesbian atsangalala tsono. What nywekhwe in first three fdays!
Busa wonyenga masiku womaliza kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
Can someone please explain to me how this is different from FISP. I hope they won’t produce coupons because now that will be FISP lite
Ha ha, from Universal to Targeted, Mbusa wabodza Chakwela. Amupinda Saulosi KKKK
If you failed to do simple and practical issues like universal subsidy what about 1Million Jobs, OK .
This is a universal subsidy. How many farming households do you have in Malawi?
For so many years they have been preaching and presing about universal not turgated.Is this the universal??
Now from UNIVERSAL TO TARGETED 3,5 MILLION SMALLHOLDER FARMERS.These people are foolish,they lied to us that it would be universal,today they have changed the tune sure.These are greedy people who want to loot our government funds now through this programe.Namachende Chakwera and Mwana wahule Chilima are not straight at all.They lied to us and now they say this.This is the starting point of blandering.
Day 5 of 5 years.
Add in at least 4 re-elections. TONSE will be in power for the foreseeable future woyeee
Mutopa ikamafika September then the defections will start. Fun to watch. Feeling good about everything that is happening.
Viva Chakwera!