Distribution of Malawi's subsidised fertiliser must pick up pace

The subsidised fertiliser programme is back in the news. This time the issue is about coupon distribution, which is late.

While both government (Malawi) and main opposition parties agree that the coupons—which enable beneficiaries to access the subsidised fertiliser—are late, there seem to be some unnecessary bickering between the two parties. It is indeed a fact that some farmers do not have an idea of where to get the coupons or what format the distribution exercise will take.

However, while government and its critics are locked in their usual politicking, it would seem the blame-game is a futile exercise. There is the greater national good that needs to be addressed.

The rains are here and some people are planting. The fertiliser and the coupons just have to be out there, at clearly defined points and distributed in a fair, transparent manner. There is, therefore, no need for either side of the country’s political divide to be engaging in debates that add little or no value to the due technical distribution process.

If mistakes or bad choices have been made, what government and the opposition should be talking about—and quickly—is the best way forward.

And whatever the case, the country has in the past two growing seasons seen the rewards of subsidised fertiliser and the need to take advantage of good rains.

Our view, therefore, is that government and the opposition should always choose which subjects to politicise and which ones to strategise and work on collectively. The fertiliser subsidy programme is one such strategic national initiative that needs a shared responsibility, not what we hear from the Ministry of Agriculture or political party spokespersons.

The Malawi Nation (editorial)