MPs lament AIP hitches

Some members of Parliament (MPs) have expressed worry over delays to distribute fertiliser under the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), saying it will worsen hunger in the next consumption season.

During random interviews with The Nation on Tuesday, various legislators said the percentages of beneficiaries who have not received the inputs remain high, with some claiming up to 70 percent of people.

The MPs’ distress comes on the back of assurances from Minister of Agriculture Sam Kawale that government would finalise the distribution of AIP fertiliser before Christmas.

But the same Kawale told journalists at a press briefing in Nkhata Bay last month that 77 percent of the 1.5 million targeted farmers had been reached with the farm inputs as at December 21.

On Tuesday, Thyolo Central MP Ben Phiri said less than 30 percent of beneficiaries in his constituency have redeemed fertiliser, but the maize crop is already at knee-high.

He feared that the hunger situation this year would be worse as government had reduced the number of beneficiaries in his constituency, yet it is failing to provide fertiliser to the few remaining on the list.

Said Phiri: “I have been following up, but the answer I always get is they are resolving the matter. I worry that already there is hunger and government is not able to support the people. People are eating cooked mangoes.

“The El Nino will also affect yield, but government seems not to be prepared. We should expect severe hunger.”

On his part, Rumphi West MP Yona Mkandawire said less than 10 percent of the beneficiaries in his constituency have accessed fertiliser.

He said the most challenging part is that people have been able to access Urea and not NPK fertiliser.

“It is time to apply NPK fertiliser, but NPK is missing. We fear that these delays will see people failing to harvest. People are frustrated,” said Mkandawire, adding that soon transporters may also shun the area as the roads are becoming impassable with the rains in progress.

Mulanje Bale legislator Victor Musowa described the AIP status in the constituency as pathetic, saying to date, there is no selling point in his constituency and beneficiaries walking over 40 kilometres to access fertiliser in Mulanje South West.

He said: “Some have made up to 10 trips to the selling points, but have failed to buy fertiliser. This is the worst AIP in history. It is a torture to people of Mulanje Bale.”

Musowa said the percentage of beneficiaries that have redeemed both NPK and Urea is at 45 percent, raising concerns that the area will continue to face hunger in the next consumption season.

“Another challenge is that the maize wilted due to dry spells that the area experienced recently. The dry spell came after farmers had already applied fertiliser. People are trying to plant again but I am encouraging them to plant cassava or sweet potatoes. I don’t think they will be able to harvest if they plant maize,” said the MP.

Mzimba South parliamentarian Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere said his constituents are still struggling to access inputs.

“For the past two weeks, my constituency has been dry as there is no fertiliser here. Most people have not bought NPK, but it is time to apply. The challenge is that they started distributing Urea here before NPK,” he said.

Jere added that other constituencies surrounding his area are in the same predicament as they rely on Mzimba South to access fertiliser.

Meanwhile, Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture chairperson Sameer Suleman has described this year’s AIP, as a big flop.

In an interview on Tuesday, Suleman called for an independent audit of the programme, saying the Ministry of Agriculture should account for resources invested in AIP, including those made by development partners.

He said: “Up to now it is not very clear how many people are benefiting. My constituency has more than 150 000 people, but less than 2000 people are benefiting. However, even those said to be beneficiaries are also failing to access inputs. What is happening?

Suleman further reiterated calls for AIP to be phased out, saying government should find a better way of implementing an agricultural subsidy programme as AIP has failed.

Ministry of Agriculture AIP coordinator Justin Kagona on Tuesday said the ministry will provide progress of the AIP either today or tomorrow.

“We will be submitting progress to be published in the newspapers tomorrow or Wednesday,” he said.