Fertiliser subsidy suppliers, transporters warned

Malawi Government on Wednesday cautioned suppliers and transporters of this year’s fertiliser under the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) against malpractices that could affect the distribution of the commodity.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Jermoth Ulemu Chilapondwa told journalists after inspecting the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) warehouse in Chirimba, Blantyre that suppliers who fail to ferry the commodity by end of October will have their contracts revoked.

Government has in the 2012/13 budget allocated K40.6 billion (about $135 million) under Fisp to distribute 150 000 tonnes of Urea and NPK to 1.7 million smallholder farmers at a subsidised price of K500 per 50 kilogramme bag.

“The programme is on time because we have 60 percent of the stock in the country and what is required now is to immediately start distributing the commodity,” said Chilapondwa.

He said government intends to solve anomalies that were associated with the programme last year.

“We want them [transporters and suppliers] to be truthful, prudent and not engage in malpractice of diverting the fertiliser,” said Chilapondwa.

The programme has since 2006, been riddled with corruption, fertiliser not reaching the intended destinations and some suppliers not bringing into the country the stipulated types and quantities.

SFFRFM regional manager Bryson Kanyika said they are ready to start distributing the commodity since they have 19 573 tonnes.

According to Fisp deputy national coordinator Osborne Tsoka, 19 573 tonnes has been received at the Chirimba depot and about 11 000 tonnes at Kanengo depot, but could not recall the quantity at Luwinga depot in Mzuzu.