Distribution of fertiliser subsidy coupons to start today

Report by Gloria Masanza.

Distribution of coupons for this years seeds fertilizer for the subsidy programme starts today in all the districts in the southern region
 
Frank Mwenifumbo deputy minister of agriculture and food security disclosed at a press briefing in Blantyre.
 
This comes after last year's distribution of coupons started late, a development which led to farmers not planting with the first rains.
 
Mwenifumbo said they have began with the southern region, after some rainfall patterns have shown that the south would receive rains soon.
 
About 1.7 million farming families are expected to benefit from the programme.
 
However the authorities have warned that anyone who will be found in possession of coupons for the subsidy programme illegally risk not to be granted bail.
 
Authorities also dismissed as fake, the coupons that have recently flooded the opne markets.
 
In the capital city Lilongwe, police have made several arrests of people being found in possession of coupons.
 
In an earlier interview, an official in the ministry of agriculture could not revela the authenticity of the coupons, saying that doing so would jeopardise investigations.