By Innocent Chunga:
Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkhotakota Central Constituency Sylvester Ayuba James has written to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), calling for an investigation into alleged fraud in the Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp) in the district.
James said the move follows complaints from beneficiaries who claim that more than 100 bags of top-dressing fertiliser were taken by government officials, denying some farmers access to subsidised inputs.
In his letter, James demands a thorough probe, saying the fertiliser could have benefited many deserving farmers in his constituency.
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“I have written because some agro-input sellers have informed me that certain government officials and other individuals bought the fertiliser illegally,” he said.
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He added that he has increased monitoring of Fisp input sales in the area following reported disagreements with some officials involved in the programme.
Nkhotakota District Council spokesperson Wongani Mkandawire said the council was not aware of any fraudulent activities and insisted that the distribution and sale of subsidised inputs in the district was proceeding smoothly.
However, one beneficiary, Hawa Aisah, said she was shocked after being told at a selling point that her coupon had already been used to purchase NPK fertiliser, despite her insistence that she had not redeemed any inputs.
“I have been told that my coupon only had urea fertiliser and seed. My coupon had already been used to purchase NPK but I never redeemed any inputs,” Aisah said.
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ACB has not commented on whether it has received James’s complaint.
On Friday, tensions rose after the MP told Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) officials not to be present at the selling point at Nkhotakota Boma.
Daniel Banda, DPP governor for the district, accused James of causing confusion and said he would not allow further disruptions.
In December last year, the government identified 5,811 civil servants among beneficiaries of the 2025–26 Fisp, including teachers, health workers, agricultural extension officers, security personnel and other council staff.
Minister of Agriculture Roza Mbilizi said all flagged public servants would be dealt with.
The government expects about 1.1 million Malawians to benefit from the 2025–26 Fisp, more than double the 528,020 targeted under the previous Affordable Inputs Programme.
In addition, 1,800 households are expected to receive goats under a pass-on arrangement to support livelihood diversification.
