The Seed Trade Association of Malawi (Stam) has finished its series of agro-dealership training aimed at preparing agro-dealers for implementation of this year’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp).
Stam business development officer Supply Chisi said in an interview at the weekend that his association, in collaboration with the seed services unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, has trained over 150 agro-dealers to sharpen their seed trade skills during sessions held in Kasungu, Liwonde and Mzuzu.
Chisi said Stam has since developed a code of conduct for agro-dealers which has been adopted.
Among others, the code requires agro-dealers to have a contract with certified seed suppliers and also have a government seed seller licence well displayed in their respective shops.
“Agro-dealers have also agreed to work with agriculture extension workers in sensitising farmers to the importance of using certified planting materials purchased from licensed agro-dealer shops,” said Chisi.
Stam also provided vital information to agro-dealers about how the subsidy programme is run and the role of agro-dealers in its implementation.
Stam was formed in 2004.
