More problems hit Chakwera’s flagship project AIP as half suppliers chicken out
President Lazarus Chakwera’s signature project, the Affordable Inputs Program (AIP) is likely to flop as almost half the number of suppliers contracted for distribution of the farm inputs have failed to meet their contractual obligations.
This was revealed on Thursday when the parliamentary committee on Agriculture visited Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi.
The programme is experiencing numerous challenges as beneficiaries are spending nights at selling points due to network glitches.
On Thursday, the committee made a surprise visit to Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi – SFFRFM in Kanengo.
Sameer Suleman, Parliamentary committee chairperson said it is worrisome that currently, some suppliers are pulling out from the program.
He said, this should be a learning process for government to plan well in the next program.
“It is sad that the suppliers have decided to disappoint Malawians at this point of time when rains are already here, this should be a lesson to government, in the next program vet the capacity of the suppliers you give contracts to,” said Suleman.
Meanwhile, Erica Maganga, Principal Secretary in the ministry of Agriculture has said the ministry is engaging suppliers who have failed to deliver to map the way forward.
On his part, Dr Andy Kalinde, Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi chief executive officer has conceded that they are facing transport challenges to take the fertilizer to selling points.
Kupupuluma ati awoneke odziwa kuposa anzawo lero ndi izi network,poor suppliers lack of skills,poor decision making,poor government!Kaya zotsegula office ku Jerusalem zili pati? Koma Chilima alipo wangokhala chete ngati kuti ai iyeyo amatokota kwambiri.The more people voted for change the more change never comes.
It’s sad to note that network problems will be killing and impoverish Malawians next year. Time to slap some agencies or organizations Mr President? Network providers, sffrfm,ministry of agriculture, etc.
How are gvt contracts awarded. The procurement committee needs to review the public procurement act etc. This is so damn of our people running such important gvt programs or agencies. Next year kukhala njala yet nvula igwa yochuluka chaka chino(according to meteorology department)
Some cases the software rejected beneficiary’s Id says already used. Someone is messing with the system, I suspect kokoliko holdings
That is the game of sabotage! Nothing else. Tonse Government should know that the headlines of this article is what some Malawians want to read. not only once but everyday! So please get to know your friends and enemies. Some Malawians are afraid that with cheap fertilisers maize next year will be hard to sell. That’s the Malawi of today where people are not happy seeing others happy. They want to make money out of hardships, poverty and agony! But we will persevere! well conquer! Forward ever!
Siza sabotage amwene. The program was not pragmatically analyzed. Hence the shortfalls. Who can chicken out of supplying fertilizer? Its a hot game with many profits. You should dig deeper and understand why the suppliers are bailing out. You will uncover alot behind the scenes. Malawi simply does not have the funds to finance such a wonderful and thoughtful program. The IMF warned against it. Perhaps the master of reforms should come in and provide a solution. Because it was his maniesto point not Rev’s. He said that he knew wer to get the cash. Now would be a good… Read more »
It would be better if we know those suppliers. How could you award contracts, of this important program to incapacitated suppliers? Who awarded such contracts? What was the other motive apart from corruption? Koma mukudziwa kuti chibwana chimenechi chibweretsa njala in this country? How about recovering the economy which is down now? Where are the technocrats who had been running this program better? Where is the leadership in this situation? Komatu bwino kumeneko mugwetsa dziko… sindinathyole mkhwani….
muziona ndizimenezo poor adminstration koma kulakhula nde number one kkkkk ma weekly brief ndi maulendo apandege kuziona utakula ndizovuta m’malo mosova ma problems a AIP