Govt Abandons The Poor in FISP

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) has faulted government on the decision it has made to shift from the targeted poorest of the poor to farming families on Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP).

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development has made it clear that this year’s FISP will target maize farming families after noticing that the beneficiaries were selling the items.

However, reacting to the development, FUM President, Alfred Kapichira Banda, asked government to bring substantive evidence to support the claim.

” I condemn Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water development for making such decision without consulting the stakeholders,” said Kapichira.

He however, suggested that government should introduce universal fertilizer subsidy so that everyone should benefit with the program.

Government introduced Farm Input Subsidy Program in 2005 targeting the poorest of the poor, widows and other vulnerable groups such as child headed homes, the aged and people with disabilities.