Reports that farmers will from next year start using e-vouchers to buy subsidised fertiliser from private agro-vet shops are a crucial step in efforts to curb corruption that has bogged down the subsidy programme.
At long last, the State appears to be taking the necessary measures to get rid of brokers and shysters who have previously benefited at the expense of the resource-poor farmers.
In theory, the e-voucher payment is meant to zone the country and ease distribution of the input from the National Cereals and Produce Board depots (NCPB), ensuring that it reaches the target group.
Lest we forget, it is the NCPB staff who have previously orchestrated repackaging of the subsidised fertiliser and sold it to unsuspecting public at market rate.
But every new system is always as good as the integrity of the people who design and put it to use.
That’s why the State must take every step to eliminate profiteers and close gaps that they are likely to exploit to corrupt the new model.
Research has proved that fertiliser improves crop production. It is therefore important that a distribution model for the subsidised input is able to reach farmers however far their location is, without getting compromised.
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