SFFRFM seeks 1998 fertiliser payment

The Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi (SFFRFM) has asked government to replenish its warehouses with 89 000 metric tonnes (MT) of fertiliser used to implement a government-funded inputs starter-pack programme in 1998.

During the United Democratic Front (UDF) administration, government introduced a starter-pack programme to help smallholder farmers access fertiliser and seed as one way of promoting food security.

Speaking yesterday when SFFRFM official appeared before the Parliamentary Cluster on Agriculture and Food Security to explain what the organisation is doing to ensure it reaches all Malawians with fertiliser and not just Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) beneficiaries, SFFRFM chief executive officer Richard Chikunkhuzeni said the agency has been struggling as government has not replenished the stocks since 1998.

He said there is need to recapitalise SFFRFM by replenishing the fertiliser whose current estimated value is K140 billion.

Said Chikunkhuzeni: “The fund was depleted through the outflow of the 89 000 metric tonnes and if it can be restocked through the help of Parliament, the fund should be able to fulfill its mandate.”

In response, the cluster’s co-chairperson Sameer Suleman backed the call to recapitalise SFFRFM so that it serves all farmers.

A representative of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs at the meeting, Fiskani Kaluwa, said he needed to consult on the issue of paying back for the fertiliser that was taken in 1998.

He said since the issue happened a long time ago, there was need for guidance from the Secretary to the Treasury