By Dorica Mtenje
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-As this year’s Affordable Input Program(AIP) continue facing challenges, it has been revealed that the current AIP Suppliers are selling counterfeit fertilizers.
Minister of Agriculture,Lobin Lowe told the news conference on Monday during face the press program that some suppliers have been reported to have supplied counterfeit fertilizers saying the matter have been reported to police for further investigation and prosecution.
Lowe said currently over 60 fertilizer suppliers out of 166 are selling fertilizer to farmers. 10 seed suppliers out of 10 are on the ground and 17 companies out of 63 contracted companies for livestock component are on the ground selling goats as well.
He added that absence of some fertilizer suppliers on the market ADMARC and SFFRFM remain only reliable suppliers and this has led to long queues in some shops.
The minister said the ministry also has reports that some people in some areas like Mponela in Dowa are buying National ID cards from farmers and buy fertilizers.
He warn the malpractice and urge police, anti corruption Bureau(ACB) and all agents involved to look into the matter.
Meanwhile 3.7 million farmers who were targeted last year are redeeming their entitlements through use of National IDs in ADMARC, SFFRFM and some private suppliers across Malawi.
He therefore urged Malawians that Government will make sure that farmers will definitely have a bumper harvest this year just like last season to improve household and national food security.
In response, National Police spokesperson James kadadzera disclosed that the police have arrested 12 suspects on AIP fraud.