Local suppliers have expressed concern over Malawi government’s decision to award large quantity of contracts of supplying fertilizer for Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) to suppliers of Asian origin. One of the concerned local supplier told Nyasa Times in Lilongwe that many local suppliers have been left out without considering them in supplying a commodity meant for this year’s subsidy. […]
Smallholder farmers waiting to benefit from 2015-2016 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) should begin to consider revising their budget now, the cost of buying two bags of subsidised fertilizer and seeds is now at K8500 from K1, 150. This means cost of contribution towards the FISP for each bag of fertiliser has gone up by […]
Some local entrepreneurs and the Indigenous Businesspersons Association of Malawi (IBAM) have spoken against government’s decision not to involve suppliers in this year’s Farm Input Subsidy (Fisp) programme, saying the move will escalate corrupt practices and benefit politically-connected individuals. Instead of calling for suppliers and transporters to tender for the supply of Fisp fertilizer and […]
The expression “taking the pee” has taken on new meaning. While this colloquial term is an impolite way of indicating someone is making fun of you, This is not the case with a 58 year old man Goodfellow Phiri. Phiri buys a 5 litre bucket of urine at the price of K300 a 20 litre […]
The Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) Deputy National Coordinator, Osbourne Tsoka has said there has been “remarkable progress” in the distribution of commodities in this year’s programme with 90 percent of fertiliser distributed to the 1.5 million smallholder farmers. This year’s Fisp was marred with logistical problems which raised fears of a worst distribution season. […]
A Malawi farmer in the eastern region district of Machinga by a hair’s breadth could have lost fifty 50kg bags of rice to a bogus business deal he had found on social networking site Facebook. Sani Bwanali, 27, told police that a buyer masquerading as Maletso Banda, who he had first interacted on ‘Lets Do […]
Just few weeks after the government launched this years’ Fertilizer Subsidy Programme, Police at Phalula in Malawi’s eastern district of Balaka are keeping in custody a 28-year old man for allegedly being found in possession of government subsidized fertilizer which was unlawfully acquired. Balaka police spokesperson, sub-inspector Joseph Sauka says the suspect Lacks Kapinga who […]
Malawi farmers can now afford a smile as government has finally launched the 2014/15 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) amid financial constraints to dispatch the commodities to various areas. The programme was launched Tuesday in Chitipa, but some parts are yet to receive the subsidised inputs. Minister of Agriculture Dr Allan Chiyembekeza said suppliers had challenges with […]
Minister of Agriculture Allan Chiyembekeza suspected a foul play on this year’s Farm Input Subsidy Program (Fisp) which experience some hitches with some districts not yet provided with the coupons or fertiliser for distribution despite it being rainy season. Chiyembekeza in an interview monitored on public broadcaster MBC, questioned the delay by the Reserve Bank […]
Malawi will soon have its fertilizer manufacturing plant; President Peter Mutharika disclosed this at a news conference which held at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Tuesday. Malawi is currently spending billions of Malawi Kwacha’s importing fertilizer for the Farm Input Subsidy Programme. Economic expert argue that price of fertilizer can drastically drop if the commodity […]
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) has called on government to redesign the Farm Inputs Subsidy Program (FISP). MCP parliamentary spokesperson on finance Joseph Njobvuyalema said the way the program was designed is failing short to meet its goals of having a food secured nation but rather enrich some sections of the business community […]
Malawi’s poor who relies on subsidized fertilizers for their farm produce will soon start dipping more into their pockets to get 50kilongram of fertilizers following government announcement that it intend to revise the price upwards from the current K500. Malawi’s minister of agriculture Allan Chiyembekeza says the move aims to make the program more sustainable. […]
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) have confirmed they dropped graft charges against Finance, Economic Planning and Development Minister Goodall Gondwe. Gondwe was suspected to have acted corruptly in a fertiliser deal [2005/05 farming season] that cost Malawi $6.8 million. But he has always denied claims of graft. ACB spokesperson Egritta Ndala said investigation which the bureau carried […]
Malawian President Peter Mutharika’s private meeting with a number of Asian business person at Mtunthama State Lodge over the weekend has raised eyebrows as many fear, they are “generous well-wishers” who seek government favours in terms of business deals. Many ‘well-wishers’ are willing to hand over large sums of cash to the corridors of power […]
Newly sworn in Vice-President Saulos Chilima has hailed the people of central region district of Ntcheu for voting for the Democtatic Progressive Party (DPP) in the just ended May 20 tripartite elections and asked losers and winners to work together in rebuilding the nation. Chilima made the remarks at Ntcheu boma on Monday where he […]
Malawi Government will abolish the coupon system of identifying beneficiaries in the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISIP) and start biometric system, President Peter Mutharika has said. Mutharika in his inaugural speech on Monday in Blantyre said in the next agricultural season, government will introduce a finger print system that will only give opportunity to the […]
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Malawi has been advised to start planning for the Fertilizer Input Subsidy (FISP) programme regardless of the fact that there is some political impulse, otherwise any further delays will choke Malawi’s economy since the country also relies on agriculture. Civil Society Agriculture Network (Cisanet) National Director Tamani […]
Malawi’s ruling People’s Party (PP) vice presidential nominee Sosten Gwengwe said universal fertilizer subsidy being proposed by the opposition parties is impossible in Malawi as it could only benefit the vendors not the needy in the communities. Gwengwe was speaking during a rally which was held at Bua Primary School in Mchinji on Wednesday where […]