FUM worried with parallel Filp

Famers Union of Malawi (FUM) is worried over lack of information about parallel Farm Input Loan Programme (Filp) which government intends to implement this growing season to benefit those who will be left out of Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp).

Addressing the press on Friday FUM president Kapichira Banda and chief executive officer Prince Kapondamgaga said even though the intention of Filp is aimed at improving agriculture, areas like stakeholder involvement, beneficiary targets, financing mechanisms and loan repayment are some of the areas government needs to clarify to the farmers.

Said Banda: “We would like to know how government is involving stakeholders like the private sector, civil society, transporters and other key players. While other programmes like Fisp have a national task force which spearheads the programme implementation, little is known as to the level of involvement of other stakeholders in the Filp.”

Banda said that even beneficiary targeting in Filp leaves a lot to be desired because the targeted beneficiaries are not known.

“Who are the target beneficiaries and what the ways of identification are. FUM as owner of more than 210 cooperatives and associations, farmers clubs, large and medium-level commercial farmers and smallholder farmers even at EPA level. We would like to know the procedures that have been put in place that will give equitable access this scheme by our farmers. We are inundated with queries from our farmers who would like to know how they can benefit from the scheme, but we do not have answers,” she said.

On his part, Kapondamgaga said that lack of information on the location of the secretariat is also another area government needs to clarify.

“Where is the Filp secretariat and how can it be contacted? Where are our farmers going to get relevant and authentic information about the programme? We have learnt that Mardef will be involved in this scheme, but Mardef’s track record in managing loans is unsatisfactory,” said Kapondamgaga.

He said as FUM, they are predicting danger in the sense that after the elections next year, irrespective of results, people will think that the loan was just for campaign purposes.

“It is important to clearly spell out the interest rate of the loan because we foresee danger in the repayment of the loan. This information will assist farmers to make informed decisions. FUM foresees danger of non-repayment as was the case in 1992 when government gave loans to farmers, but when government changed, no effort was made to recover the loans,” said Kapondamgaga.

Minister of Information Brown Mpinganjira said information on any issue is never enough but government will work with farmers clubs and make sure that they repay the loans in good time.

“We will be involving other stakeholders, but because of the time factor, the rains will be starting soon maybe that is why things are being done in a hurry. FUM have a point and we will soon organise a press briefing with the Ministry of Agriculture to make sure that there are no grey areas as regards the Filp,” said Mpinganjira.