Implementation of the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) is once again facing logistical challenges with just 16 261 metric tonnes (MT) of the required 104 000MT of fertiliser sourced to date delivered to beneficiaries.
But Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale is upbeat that the situation will improve once the fertiliser under collateral with financial institutions is cleared.
Making a presentation on AIP fertiliser stocks and distribution progress to the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture in Lilongwe yesterday, Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) chief executive Richard Chikunkhuzeni said there is 53 997.50MT available in stock, of which 36 671.50MT is still under collateral and can only be distributed when government redeems it.
He said there is also a carryover stock of 1 065MT for this year’s AIP launched on October 14 2024.
according to regions
Said Chikunkhuzeni: “As of November 4 2024, government had distributed 10 403.20MT of fertiliser. We are not happy that only 15 percent of fertiliser required has been secured. But efforts are being made
to improve on the numbers.”
However, his presentation exposed some disparities in distribution of the fertilisers in regions.
Of the 10 403.20MT distributed, 6 571.95MT has gone to the Central Region, representing 70 percent. The quantity excludes 450MT for Ntcheu District which was listed as Southern Region. On the other hand, the Southern Region has received 3 335.25MT of fertiliser despite the rains starting in that region. The Northern Region has only been supplied with 496MT.
Chikunkhuzeni told the committee that there is slow progress in the supply of fertiliser due to protracted negotiations
between government and suppliers, who had demanded an upward adjustment of contract prices.
“The AIP suppliers requested for the contracted prices to be adjusted soon after contracts were awarded. Negotiations prolonged but eventually government accepted the requested price adjustments,” he said.
He also said the ongoing fuel shortage has also affected fertiliser distribution.
Committee chairperson Sameer Suleman has since expressed disappointment over the low fertiliser levels and disparities in distribution patterns.
He said it is worrisome that
some districts in the Northern Region are yet to get fertiliser when all districts in the Central Region have benefitted.
Said Suleman: “Our worry is this year’s AIP will be the worst as government has not secured enough fertiliser to distribute to all farmers. What has government been doing since May to only have 16 261MT?
“This is November and you are coming to tell us you have failed to buy enough fertiliser and therefore you have failed to deliver? It doesn’t give a good picture.”
By this time last year, government had distributed almost 37 000MT of AIP fertiliser out of a targeted 149 164MT.
However, the programme also faced supply challenges due to fuel shortages.
Suleman also called on SFFRFM to investigate reports that in some parts of the Southern Region, some AIP suppliers do not have fertiliser and are instead giving beneficiaries K30 000 for a bag of fertiliser.
Weighing on, Rumphi North legislator Jappie Mhango (Democratic Progressive Party- DPP) lamented that government is trying to create hunger in the Northern and Southern regions.
He questioned government’s motive in providing fertiliser to all districts in the Centre while almost depriving the North.
But in an interview yesterday, Kawale said the ministry was waiting for Treasury to release money for the fertiliser under collateral and once that is cleared, the distribution will move quickly.
He said the diesel shortage in the past two weeks has also affected distribution.
Said Kawale: “Had diesel been available, we would have been very far in terms of distribution. We hope the situation will improve next week.
“It is our wish that all the money and fuel be available on time so that we serve Malawians.”
Parliament approved an allocation of K161 billion for implementation of the AIP and it hired 23 companies to supply fertiliser for this year’s programme which is targeting 1 054 945 beneficiaries.
