CORRUPTION IN THE FORM OF SELLING FERTILIZER SUBSIDY
Date
2011-05-05
Authors
Munthali, Julius Kadambo
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Abstract
The Malawi Farm Input Subsidy Programme is faced with the problem of
corruption, in particular, the selling of fertilizer subsidy coupons by Agricultural
officials and Traditional Leaders. This research study focuses on Lilongwe district
as a case study and examines underlying reasons that facilitate the selling of
fertilizer subsidy coupons in the district. In order to understand technical and
social dynamics around the problem of selling subsidy coupons in Lilongwe
district, the research focuses on the coupon distribution system which forms part
of the fertilizer subsidy implementation strategy. The research fundamentally
uses qualitative methodology with Lilongwe district as the case study to collect
in-depth information from informants. Quantitative tools are only used in data
presentation and analysis. The purpose of this research is to investigate the
problem of selling fertilizer subsidy coupons by Agricultural officials and
Traditional Leaders in Lilongwe district and find out how the coupon system could
be improved.
The research shows that the fertilizer subsidy initiative has been fairly successful
in Lilongwe district. However, incidences of corruption in the form of selling
fertilizer subsidy coupons hinder the programme from achieving its objectives of
ensuring food self sufficiency as evidenced by some pockets of hungry
communities in the district. Corruption is mainly caused by lack of accountability
measures in the design of the implementation strategy and lack of empowerment
of communities to demand accountability from authorities
Description
MM -P&DM
Keywords
Corruption, Malawi, Fertilizer sales, Malawi