The Malawi agricultural input subsidy programme: 2005/06 to 2008/09

The Malawi Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme: Lessons

Background and Context Maize, the main staple crop remains the dominant crop among smallholder farmers in Malawi. Smallholder farmers devote almost 70 percent of their land to maize cultivation, and maize availability in the country de nes the food security situation of the country. Smallholder agriculture in Malawi has been characterized by low productivity, low technology and labour intensive...

The Malawi Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme : 2005 - 6 to 2008 - 9 1

Malawi’s implementation of a large scale agricultural input subsidy programme in 2005/6 and subsequent years has attracted significant international interest. This paper reviews the background, processes, achievements and outcomes of the programme over the period 2005/6 to 2008/9. The very large scale disbursement of heavily subsidised fertilisers and (mainly hybrid and composite maize) seed to...

Factors Influencing Access to Agricultural Input Subsidy Coupons in Malawi

One direct way in which agricultural input subsidies can provide social protection to the poor is by targeting the poor with very high subsidies to ensure that they are able to access inputs. Although the Malawi Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme (MAISP) generally targets resource-poor households, the targeting guidelines also accord special consideration to vulnerable groups such as child-he...

The Malawi Agricultural Inputs Subsidy Programme, 2005/6 to 2008/9

The implementation in Malawi of a large scale agricultural input subsidy programme in 2005/6 and subsequent years has attracted significant international interest. This paper reviews the background, implementation and impacts of the programme from 2005/6 to 2008/9. The programme is estimated to have raised national maize production by 26 to 60 percent. In so doing, the programme has contributed...

The Role of the Private Sector in the Farm Input Subsidy Programme in Malawi