WORLD BANK CALLS FOR EFFECTIVE EMPLEMENTATION OF SUBSIDY PROGRAMME

The World Bank has called for effective implementation of the farm input subsidy programme if Malawians are to continue benefitting from the initiative.

Out-going World Bank Senior Agriculture Economist, Mr. David Rohrbauch says one way of ensuring the success of the programme is to improve crop management and delivery of the inputs.

Recently the programme has been facing some challenges, including non availability of fertilizer in some areas.

The out-going World Bank Senior Agriculture Economist, Mr. David Rohrbauch, says the bank regards the Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Programme as a good example in the region.

He says there’s no question that the programme has been significant gains in crop productivity.

But the World Bank official says that, as a programme that receives a major share of the country’s national budget, the subsidy programme should be properly implemented to make sure that highest possible returns are achieved.

Mr. Rohrbauch says one way of doing this is improving crop management in associated with the delivery of seeds and fertilizer so that farmers produce more.

The subsidy programme has been facing a number of challenges.

For example, scores of farmers in Salima have been left with useless coupons in their hands having failed to access subsidized farm inputs.

The Minister of Agriculture, Professor Peter Mwanza, says government will find means to ensure that farmers utilize their coupons.

The program ended on Friday in central and southern regions.

Again some markets did not receive enough subsidized farm inputs a development that deprived many poor farmers.

The out-going World Bank Senior Agriculture Economist, Mr. David Rohrbauch, says the bank regards the Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Programme as a good example in the region.

He says there’s no question that the programme has been significant gains in crop productivity.

But the World Bank official says that, as a programme that receives a major share of the country’s national budget, the subsidy programme should be properly implemented to make sure that highest possible returns are achieved.

Mr. Rohrbauch says one way of doing this is improving crop management in associated with the delivery of seeds and fertilizer so that farmers produce more.

The subsidy programme has been facing a number of challenges.

For example, scores of farmers in Salima have been left with useless coupons in their hands having failed to access subsidized farm inputs.

The Minister of Agriculture, Professor Peter Mwanza, says government will find means to ensure that farmers utilize their coupons.

The program ended on Friday in central and southern regions.

Again some markets did not receive enough subsidized farm inputs a development that deprived many poor farmers.