Police warn farmers against cheating agro-dealers
Police have warned farmers against cheating agro-dealers when accessing seeds and crops under the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp).
National community policing coordinator George Pindani sounded the warning on Saturday in Blantyre during Fisp sensitisation meeting.
“A number of agro-dealers are working with government on Fisp programme. You should be careful when dealing with them because some can cheat you,” he said.
Pindani said some agro-dealers can give farmers other things like clothes or bicycles in exchange for farm inputs. He asked them to resist and also report such people.
The coordinator disclosed that police are working with Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) to make sure the process is going on well and smoothly. He also called on farmers to know where they can access the seeds and fertilisers.
Group Village Head Misesa complained about the delay of the seeds and fertilisers which, she noted, will have a negative effect on the harvest.
“We are facing a number of challenges like the absence of fertiliser in strategic places like Admarc and limited number of coupons. This is giving us problems because it creates frustration and suspicion,” said the traditional leader.
She appealed to government to supply the inputs to those that have coupons so that they can access seeds and fertilisers on time. n
