By Chrissy Nkumba
LILONGWE (MaraviPost)-Following the failure by the government to fully implement Affordable Input Program (AIP) this year, Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) and the National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi (Nasfam) have requested the August House to pass the seed bill in next session.
The two made the request on Friday, March 11,2022 during the presentation of a petition to parliament.
Speaking in an interview with Maravi Post, FUM President Frighton Njolomole said government is wasting resources under AIP as farmers are not Benefiting from the program due to fake seedlings present on the market.
“As farmers we need to be protected from exploitation by these unscrupulous traders who sell fake seeds. As farmers, we need to be sold genuine seeds whether from AIP program or otherwise.
“Government spends a lot on AIP then at the end of the day we should be saying farmers are buying fake seeds. It doesn’t make sense hence this bill will put to end the malpractice and consequently protect government money,” Njolomole said
He has further asked the government to take measures in ending fake seedling displayed on the market by joining hands with the Malawi Bureau of Standards and investigate all seeds in the country.
On his Part, Ulemu Chilapondwa, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary committee on agriculture assured the grouping that the petition will be presented to the relevant authority in Parliament for action to be taken as demanded by Farmers.
The draft Seed Bill, 2019 proposes a maximum fine of MK50 million and 10 years imprisonment for seed-related malpractices, a development expected to bring sanity in the seed sector.
