IT is disheartening to learn that agricultural officers are in the fore front of pilfering the farming inputs meant for rural farmers.
While farmers are complaining about farming inputs being delayed, the explanation for this is mainly because of deliberate efforts from those who are charged with distribution, to frustrate government.
It is a shame indeed that the little that the farmers are supposed to get to support them is being diverted into lining the pockets of a few selfish individuals.
The case of agricultural officers in Chipangali being caught with stolen fertiliser bags, makes very sad reading. Sad because farmers have been made to believe the government has not delivered the inputs when this is not true.
Today, we report on another officer caught with 86 bags of fertiliser.
This is barely three weeks after an agriculture camp officer was nabbed for allegedly selling 160 stolen bags of fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Chipangali, another one has been caught with 86 bags of stolen inputs.
It is not surprising that the local chief is angry at this development as he delivered yet another suspect to police for prosecution.
Chief Chanje of the Chewa people of Chipangali who has called for stiffer punishment for the erring officers to deter would be offenders.
The traditional leader said it was baffling that barely three weeks after he handed over an agriculture camp officer to police over theft of 160 by 50kg bags of fertiliser, another one has been caught with 86 stolen bags.
“It is very sad that the trend has continued. And if there are no strict measures put in place, Government efforts to help the poor will be frustrated by these officers. Those found wanting must be punished severely to set an example to others,” he said.
He warmed that if not stopped, intended beneficiaries would continue being deprived of the government’s good gesture.
In the first case, the officer was caught because he went and offered to sell the fertiliser to one of Chief Chanje’s traditional counsellors who in turn reported the matter to the chief.
The culprits are hoarding the fertiliser delivered under the Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP), to resell to the desperate farmers. The peasant farmers actually end up buying their own fertiliser.
This is why Chief Chanje is calling for stiffer punishment for the suspected swindlers because they are putting undue pressure of his chiefdom.
After a successful farming season, most farmers are preparing to increase production and efforts like this just demoralise them.
We would not be wrong to assume that adequate fertiliser was delivered to areas such as Chipangali, but the commodity is being withheld through illegal activities.
There is need to ensure accountability of the farming inputs and measures to be put in place to safeguard the inputs. It would also be beneficial to include the traditional leaderships in the cooperatives to ensure that citizens who apply for fertiliser, get what they paid for.
This will ensure national food security. The contribution of peasant farmers to the country’s food security is important, and it is therefore vital that their farming inputs are secured.
