Fertiliser shortage sparks harvest concerns

A shortage of fertiliser and the government's failure to complete distribution of free "starter packs" to poor farmers could jeopardise next year's harvest, the chairman of Malawi's parliamentary committee on agriculture warned last week. Committee chairman Vitus Dzoole said at a meeting reviewing food security policy that unless the government found a way to provide "cheaper fertiliser to energetic farmers" Malawi could face a food crisis on the scale of 2001/2002 when millions were in need of food aid. In October the government launched a US $23 million farm input subsidy programme to strengthen food security. The Expanded Targeted Input Programme (ETIP) is aimed at ensuring that poor households have access to small quantities of free seed and fertiliser, but two months later, many farmers are yet to benefit, and the planting season is already underway. According to principal secretary for agriculture, irrigation and food security, Joseph Matope, there is no cause for alarm. The government had so far "distributed over 50 percent of the ETIP, and if properly utilised, there could be enough harvest", he said. However, an additional problem for farmers has been the government's failure to cut the price of fertiliser. A 50 kg bag currently costs between K2,600 ($21) and K3,800 ($35), despite a promised subsidised price of K1,400 ($11). "It is not good for government to promise when it knows it cannot fulfil its promises. I know some of us can afford [inputs], but what about the poor farmers in the rural areas?" asked a disgruntled farmer. President Bingu wa Mutharika has said that, despite logistical problems, all the two million targeted households would receive ETIP packs, a pledge that some analysts have questioned. National coordinator of the Malawi Economic Justice Network, Collins Magalasi, accused the government of poor planning and urged that "the money that was budgeted for this programme should still be used to buy fertiliser which farmers could use". In November the US-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) warned that Malawi could be facing a "price famine" due to the impact of rising commodity prices on its vulnerable population. FEWS NET noted that "the last agricultural season's [production] shortfall will mean that more households than normal are dependent on purchasing food for a longer period of time", but incomes have fallen due to last year's poor harvest. Agriculture forms the backbone of the Malawian economy and the government is currently reviewing its policies with the aim of better supporting small-scale farmers and improving inter-ministerial coordination.