The Chairperson for Agriculture Committee, Sameer Suleman has said Malawi’s Agricultural sector is facing a critical challenge as the Smallholder Farmers Fertilizer Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) struggles to fulfil its mandate due to political interference.
Speaking during the cluster committee on Tuesday, Suleman said SFFRFM was established to support smallholder farmers by providing access to fertilizer and has seen its purchasing power stripped away and transferred to the ministry of Agriculture.
“This move has resulted in significant delays in fertilizer purchases, with the Ministry of finance releasing funds late, impacting the entire agricultural sector.
“The committee, determined to address this issue, plans to engage the Ministry of finance to ensure timely provision of funding,” he said.
He furthermore said, the distribution of fertiliser has been uneven, with the central region receiving 43%, while the north and south received 11% and 13%, respectively. The committee has expressed dissatisfaction with the disparity and plans to discuss it with the Ministry of Agriculture.
“SFFRFM has requested the committee’s assistant in pushing for early funding from the Ministry of finance, highlighting the need for the institution to regain its independence,” he said.
He, therefore added that the committee has pledged to support SFFRM in its fight to reclaim its mandate and ensure that fertilizer purchases and distribution are carried out efficiently and effectively.
As Malawi’s Agricultural sector continues to face challenges, the need for a well-functioning SFFRM is more pressing than ever. The institution’s ability to provide smallholder farmers with access to fertiliser is critical to the country’s food security and economic development.
