Mwanza, October 27, 2017: Mwanza District Agriculture Development Office (DADO) Thursday (October 26, 2017) started distributing Farm Input Subsidy Program (FISP) coups to over 8,100 small scale famers.

Mwanza DADO, Ezar Mbendera, told Malawi News Agency (MANA) in an interview that out of 8, 100 coupons, 6, 632 coupons will be given out to farmers in Mwanza Extension Planning Area (EPA) while 1268 will be distributed to farmers in Thambani EPA.

Mbendera said the distribution exercise was expected to be concluded on October 30th, 2017.

“We expect to finish the distribution exercise on Monday since all the logistical arrangements have been put in place,” he said.

The DADO said a team composed of officials from police, District Commissioner’s Office and Agriculture, would be monitoring the exercise for quality assurance.

Speaking after receiving her coupon at Thambani EPA, Esnart Zilima expressed happiness to have been one of the beneficiaries for this year’s subsidy program.

Zilima said she would not sell the coupon as doing so would be a sign of ‘ungratefulness’ to government.

“Why should I sell the coupon? I have been waiting for this [coupon] and I have to use it for the intended purpose,” said Zilima, a mother of two.

She however advised government to make the fertilizer available in time saying: “Having a coupon is one thing and accessing the actual fertilizer is also something else.” 

Last year, 15,000 farming households in Mwanza benefited from the program.

Minister of Agriculture Irrigation and Water Development Joseph Mwanamveka last week launched the 2017/18 FISP in Mchinji District.

This year, government has increased the value of coupon to K6000 from K3000 and it has subsidized NPK and Urea fertilizers per 50 Kg bag to K15,000.00.