Police gears up for more Fisp related cases

The Malawi Police Service (MPS) says it expects to have a lot of cases related to the 2016/17  Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) because of the involvement of private companies who will be responsible for all transport logistics, including providing of security.

In the previous years, government implemented the Fisp programme through Admarc and Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving of Malawi (SFFRFM) , but this year it will involve the private sector through what is called private sector retailing.

A total of 27 companies have been identified to sell the inputs.

Speaking on the sidelines of a planning meeting for the programme between the police and other stakeholders at Area 30 in Lilongwe, deputy inspector general responsible for operations Rodney Jose said the fact that police will not be offering escort to vehicles carrying fertiliser more challenges are expected.

He said: ”This season we expect to have a lot of cases because of the involvement of private companies as they will be responsible for offering security from point of departure to point of delivery.

But Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development  Erica Maganga said the new way of getting fertiliser to the farmer using the private sector is efficient and effective and will help government save resources.

She said it will be up to the private companies to ask for police escort to make sure that incidences of theft are minimised.

This year, government has fixed the coupon value at K15 000, but farmers contribution will vary depending on the market price.