Tag Archives: Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP)

SADC

Government denounces fake press release on FISP suspension, opposition MCP criticized for irresponsible actions

Jones Gadama

By Jones Gadama

The Malawi government has dismissed as false a press release circulating claims that the Ministry of Agriculture has suspended the distribution of subsidized fertilizer under the Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP).

Government spokesperson Dr. Shadrick Namalomba described the allegations as “a total lie,” assuring that the program is proceeding smoothly.

The purported press release is believed to be orchestrated by disgruntled members of the opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP).

Political commentator Mathews Namukhoyo criticized the MCP’s actions, stating that the spate of fake press releases is “worrisome and bad for the country” as it undermines progress.

Namukhoyo urged the MCP to act as a responsible opposition, refraining from such tactics.

Dr. Namalomba’s statement aligns with recent government efforts to ensure FISP’s success, targeting 1.1 million vulnerable farmers with subsidized fertilizer and seeds.

However, challenges have emerged, including the illegal registration of civil servants as beneficiaries in districts like Balaka and Nkhotakota, prompting the government to order the return of misappropriated inputs.

Namukhoyo’s criticism highlights concerns about the opposition’s role in national development.

“The MCP should be a responsible opposition, not stooping to such low levels,” he emphasized.

The government remains committed to FISP’s objectives, addressing malpractices while ensuring farmers receive essential inputs.

Critics argue that without accountability, such programs risk losing credibility and purpose.

The FISP controversy underscores broader debates on governance and accountability in Malawi’s agricultural sector, with calls for reforms and local fertilizer production to enhance sustainability.

Agriculture, Malawi

Malawi consumers body demands removal of FISP from National budget

Maravi Post Reporter

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) on Monday, September 28, 2020 asked President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse government to remove Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) from the 2020/2021 national budget arguing that the initiative has not benefited Malawians.

The consumer rights body observed that over the years Malawians have been burying into the ground billion of kwacha’s in the form of subsidized fertilizers that have not provided any meaningful interventions to Food Security

CAMA adds that the program has been proved to failure to make Malawi Food Secure.

In a press statement made available to The Maravi Post signed by CAMA’s Executive Director John Kapito said the program is heavily politicized.

Kapito thinks that the program has reduced Malawians capacity to think and develop sustainable food security interventions that would also have an impact in the reduction of food pricing

“While Government has differed a number of promises it made during its campaigns we wish also to request Government to differ the implementation of Farm Input Subsidy Program from the budget. The current Farm Input Subsidy Program is another wastage of resources that Malawi can’t afford to be burying under the ground.

The only beneficiaries of the Farm Input Subsidy Programs over the years are the Manufacturers of Fertilizer and Seed, the Importers and transporters of the Farm Input Subsidies while the intended beneficiaries have remained food insecure,” reads part of the CAMA statement.

“The 2021 Farm Input Subsidy Program is so huge at almost 160 billion Malawi kwacha which if properly used and targeted to key economic growth sectors such as Tourism, Mining or Contract Farming can benefit the very same people that the Farm Input Subsidy Program has failed to produce over the last 15 years.

“The Farm Input Subsidy Program though now operating under a new different name is a program that is marred with a lot of corruption.We had expected the new Administration to have noted that and ensure that they don’t repeat the wastages of Public funds by continuing with such a corrupt expenditure where both the choice of suppliers and quality of the farm inputs are suspected to corruption and poor quality,” he said.

Urges Kapito, “We are urging the current Administration not to copy and paste the very same mistakes and corrupt practices that were done by the previous Administrations.We strongly believe that the new Administration can do things correctly and differently”.

The country’s leadership is yet to respond on CAMA’s demands as currently Parliamentarians are in the August House for budget seating.

There has been also call for Tonse government to have universal subsidy than targeted farmers that in the current national budget about 4.5 million farmers are expected to benefit from the program.

Agriculture, Top News

2018 FISP suspended

Maravi Post Reporter

 

 

By Grace Dzuwa

 

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water supply has effective suspended the 2018 to 2019 Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) on Wednesday.

 

According to the  statement signed by secretary for the ministry Gray Nyandule Phiri this has been done in order to align, reconcile as well as  consolidating the distribution processes in all the districts in tandem with planned distribution figures.

 

“Farmers are being advised that no companies will receive any coupon from 7th November 2018 until the alignment exercise is completed’’.

 

In the statement, Nyandule said that all farmers that have not accessed the inputs to safety but have received the Fisp coupons they should keep them for use when the input outlets reopen for the redemption of the coupons.

 

Although this is the case, the Ministry is promising all farmers that are yet to access the coupons and as well as suppliers that the distribution and redemption will resume as soon as possible.

 

In the past the program has been marred by a number of challenges.

Some of them are delay in coupon delivery and farmers having difficulties to access the farm inputs.

But in this year’s program, government assured farmers that nothing is going to affect 2018 to 2019 Fisp program which is contrary to what is happening.

The 2018 to 2019 Fisp program is targeting one million beneficiaries

Agriculture, Malawi, Top News

Malawi Seed Association up for FISP; warns farmers against fake seeds

Maravi Post Reporter

The country’s Seed Traders Association of Malawi (STAM) on Tuesday told the nation that its members are ready for this year’s Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP).

The association assured farmers of provision of quality seeds for bumper harvest in the next growing season.
STAM told the news conference in the capital Lilongwe that farmers are advised to buy seeds through authorized agro-dealers only .
This according to the association will address concerns of being duped by unscrupulous traders who sell fake seeds that lead to miserable crop yields.
STAM added that the is enough high quality certified maize seeds of about 18 324 metric tonnes and 6 052 metric tonnes of legumes in the country through authorized agro-dealers.
STAM chairperson John Lungu acknowledged the proliferation of fake seeds at the start of every farming season, a situation they said is affecting many farmers’ crop yields.
Lungu observed that fake seeds could literally be whole farm grains, painted and well packaged as if produced by registered and authorized seed companies.
“These seeds are more than enough for the commercial market and FISP. So, no farmer should worry about certified high quality seeds,”
“We urge farmers to buy seeds only at registered and authorized agro-dealers. They should ask for the agro-dealer’s license and their contract with a company which is supplying them the seeds,” Lungu advised.
STAM’s secretary general Nessimu Nyama chipped in saying the association in collaboration with the government’s Seed Service Unit and the police will keep on conducting routine market monitoring to check and flush out fake seeds.
Unscrupulous vendors, sometimes, mix these fake seeds with a small portion of the certified seed varieties in their quest to rob the unsuspecting poor farmers.
STAM, with a membership of 27 seed companies in Malawi, encourages its member companies to reach out to as many farmers as possible with high quality certified seeds.
Agriculture

Agriculture official cautions FISP suppliers

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Programme Manager for Lilongwe Agricultural Development Division (ADD) George Kapelemera has cautioned agro dealers and suppliers of 2017/18 Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) against engaging themselves into malpractices that end up frustrating a farmer.

Speaking in Ntcheu on Wednesday when his office briefed extension workers and suppliers of FISP in security features of coupons, he said his office has reports that the suppliers indulge themselves into malpractices which do not go well with farmers. Continue reading Agriculture official cautions FISP suppliers →