Mwanamvekha tells House 58 arrested in FISP fraud
Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development Joseph Mwanamvekha has told Parliament that 58 people have since been arrested on allegations of fraud related to the 2017/18 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp).
In the 2017/18 Fisp program, government is subsidising NPK and Urea fertilisers per 50 kilogramme (kg) bag for K15 000 and 5kg maize seed for K6000, 2kg sorghum for K6 000 and 2 kg legume seed for K2 050.
However, the program has been marred by some unscrupulous traders selling substandard inputs to farmers and other circulating fake coupons.
On Tuesday member of Parliament (MP) for Machinga East (United Democratic Front – UDF) Esther Jolobala asked government why there are more Fisp coupons than allocated tonnage of inputs in most districts.
She also asked Minister of Agriculture to explain why suppliers are buying the coupons from farmers.
“Is the Minister aware that, instead of supplying fertiliser subsidy inputs, suppliers are busy buying the coupons from local farmers?” Jolobala asked in the House.
In his response, Mwanamvekha said law enforcers have moved in to arrest about 58 people who were either using fake or recycled coupons.
“We have security personnel in all our selling points,” he said, warning anyone that will be bringing fake and recycled coupons that they will be “caught and dealt with.”
Mwanamvekha said the arrested people will face over 20 charges.
The Minister warned the suppliers against buying coupons from the farmers, saying companies involved in the malpractice will be banned from supplying inputs for the programme.
He, however, said the program has been a success and that all beneficiaries would access the inputs by December 15, which is the last selling date.
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This system If coupon does not surt in African society. West who decide for.Africa suggested this they thought it will benefit small farmers. What they did not know Africans are corrupted. The only people it has benefit are rich people. Kamuzu could never agreed to this. Malawi was self support in food. We even exported to other countries withiout subsidy farming of coupon.
Can you name and shame them please! Don’t just throw figures out there to impress people we want to know that you have actually arrested 58
We are not surprised the vulnerable ones are easy to catch while the tough ones are left scot free. When is Chaponda’s case concluded and send him to jail?