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Analysts warn Fisp delays recipe for hunger

 

Analysts have warned that continued logistical delays in distribution of inputs under the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) could be a recipe for poor harvest this season.

The concerns follow the recent release of a fertiliser distribution logistics report dated December 8 2015 indicating that government has delivered 45 926 metric tonnes (MT) of the soil enriching commodity. The total tonnage for fertiliser under the programme is at 150 000 MT.

Jumbe: It is a problem  of our own making
Jumbe: It is a problem
of our own making

Soil scientist Partison Nalivata said in an interview on Monday that delayed fertiliser application often results in poor yield.

He said: “When a seed is planted, the food that is stored in the endosperm is only enough to let it germinate and once the seed germinates, it needs extra food and that is when fertiliser becomes important.

“Now, our soils already are depreciating [in terms of nutrient content], that is why it is necessary that once the seed germinates, fertiliser is applied for growth. When this stage is missed, usually poor harvest follows.”

Has always been optimistic despite delays: Chiyembekeza
Has always been optimistic despite delays: Chiyembekeza

Nalivata said the early stages of a seed are important otherwise the plant risks turning yellow and any intervention in terms of fertiliser application does not help in achieving maximum yield as would have been had fertiliser been applied in time.

Soils have no further capacity to support seed germination up to maturing stage without fertiliser; hence, the need for timely application, he said.

On his part, farmer and legislator Felix Jumbe said the 45 926 MT distribution, which represent 41 percent dispatch, is minimal because farmers needed to have all the inputs before the beginning of the rains.

“There are some parts which already have started receiving rains and they do not have fertiliser. What are we saying? This disaster was our own making and surely we know the consequences. More people will need food assistance in the following year,” he said.

Jumbe, who is Salima Central member of Parliament (MP) and chairs the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, said with 2.8 million people currently facing hunger this year, Malawi needs to be swift in its actions to avoid hunger next season.

Calculations indicate that government, which has two distribution points—one managed by public sector institutions and the other by the private sector, has distributed fertiliser to 456 740 beneficiaries out of 1 114 000.

On the other hand, the private sector could not indicate how much had been distributed so far.

But the Fisp Logistics Unit report indicated that under their contract, worked out as per donor recommendations on Fisp reforms, the private sector is expected to dispatch about 40 000MT of fertiliser to 12 districts.

The report also shows that the private sector have withdrawn from Chitipa and Nsanje districts, pushing the burden on State produce trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc).

Reads the report in part: “Concerning finalising the 40 000MT fertiliser that was initially proposed for distribution through retail shops in 12 specified districts, it would appear that seven companies have agreed to take part in the programme, but now covering 10 districts only.

“The retail companies have withdrawn from Nsanje and Chitipa. The total amount of fertiliser to be distributed through this programme has, therefore, been reduced to 35 980MT.”

Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Allan Chiyembekeza confirmed the delays in earlier interviews, saying there was nothing government could have done as the kwacha depreciation exerted pressure.

With agriculture accounting for more than 30 percent of Malawi’s gross domestic product (GDP); at least 80 percent of foreign currency earnings and responsible for the bulk of jobs in the country, weak output from the sector could further depress the economy, spark an even sharper inflation spiral and potential cause a social crisis.

Weak agricultural performance could also invite even more vicious starvation and further destabilise an already confused national budget abandoned by donors demanding better fiscal management; underserved by the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) and mismanaged by Capital Hill bureaucrats and their political masters. n

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