Malawi’s Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) is facing growing scrutiny after the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation uncovered serious weaknesses in the beneficiary identification and distribution system.
Presenting the Committee’s report, Chairperson Anthony Kamoto said the programme was being affected by systemic loopholes that allowed unauthorised people to access fertiliser meant for genuine beneficiaries.
Kamoto said the Committee had noted cases involving the use of deceased persons’ identification documents, fake biometric inputs and manipulation of beneficiary records, warning that such practices were undermining the credibility of FISP.
The Committee found that some sales clerks, agricultural officers and local leaders were allegedly involved in manipulating beneficiary lists and distribution processes, creating discrepancies between registered farmers and actual recipients.
The report further revealed cases where genuine fertiliser was allegedly replaced with counterfeit products after delivery, with malpractice incidents particularly reported in districts such as Ntcheu.
Kamoto said the Committee was concerned that weak accountability among temporary workers had created opportunities for abuse, as some staff members lacked long-term responsibility for protecting the integrity of the programme.
The Committee also raised concerns over mobile markets, where some beneficiaries were scanned before fertiliser was available, resulting in confusion and dissatisfaction among farmers who expected to receive their inputs.
To address the challenges, SFFRFM proposed strengthening biometric verification systems, including fingerprint and facial recognition technology, although the Committee noted that implementation costs could be significant.
The Committee recommended stronger monitoring systems, improved coordination among SFFRFM, the Ministry of Agriculture and local stakeholders, and tighter controls to prevent fraud and ensure fertiliser reaches intended beneficiaries.
The report warned that unless these weaknesses are urgently addressed, leakages within FISP could continue to deny deserving farmers access to critical inputs and weaken public confidence in one of Malawi’s largest agricultural support programmes.
