Local farmer commends government for manual selection system under FISP
A local farmer from Mwakifwamba Village under Traditional Authority (TA) Kyungu in Karonga, John Mwandwangwa, has commended the government for reintroducing a manual system in identifying beneficiaries of the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP), saying the approach will ensure that only eligible and deserving farmers benefit from the initiative.
Mwandwangwa said the previous computer-automated selection method often excluded vulnerable households, but the new manual system empowers community structures such as Area Development Committees (ADCs) to identify beneficiaries based on verified need.
“I am happy that this time around, the government has allowed our local leaders to take part in identifying who should benefit. This will help ensure that genuine farmers have access to farm inputs and can improve their harvests,” said Mwandwangwa.
In an interview, the Director of Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources for Karonga District, Youngs Nyirenda, said the list of beneficiaries has been increased from 10,333 under the previous Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the 2024/2025 farming season to 18,310 under the current Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP).
He expressed confidence that this rise will likely translate into improved crop yields during the 2025/2026 farming season.
Nyirenda added that FISP beneficiaries will be selected manually through the use of local structures within the community to ensure transparency and fairness in the selection process.
