FUM wants Fisp abolished

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) wants Fertiliser Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) abolished saying it has failed to benefit the agricultural sector.

FUM president Alfred Kapichira Banda made the observation in an interview with Weekend Nation on Monday.

Banda said the country’s agricultural sector can only improve if government introduces a universal subsidy programme.

Said Banda: “Each and every growing season, the same farmers receive fertiliser or seeds. This just shows that they are not graduating from dependence to independence.

“If government introduces universal subsidy, commercial farmers will be able to cultivate more maize and other crops to feed the whole nation thereby making agriculture real business.”

Banda urged the presidential candidates in the 20 May tripartite elections to abolish Fisp and implement universal subsidy.