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Evaluation of the 2006/7 Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme, Malawi

Published by:
Publication date
31/03/2008
Language:
English
Type of Publication:
Studies
Focus Region:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Focus Topic:
Institutions / Organizations
Type of Risk:
Policy & institutional
Type of Risk Managment Option:
Risk assessment
Commodity:
Crops
Source
http://www.dfid.gov.uk/r4d/PDF/Outputs/Futureagriculture/MalawiAISPFinalReport31March.pdf
Author
Dorward, A.; Chirwa, E.

This report evaluates the 2006/7 Malawi Government Agricultural Input Subsidy Programme (AISP). The main objective of the evaluation is to assess the impact and implementation of the AISP in order to provide lessons for future interventions in growth and social protection. The evaluation combined qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and analysis. Quantitative data were collected through a national survey in 2007 of 2,491 households who were previously interviewed in the 2004/05 Integrated Household Survey,, a survey of retail shops selling inputs in six districts and data on stocks and sales from manufacturers, large-scale importers and dealers of fertilizers and seeds. The quantitative data was triangulated by qualitative data from focus group discussions with smallholder farmers in 12 districts, and key informant interviews with government staff, input distributors and beneficiary and non-beneficiary households. The analysis is based on descriptive statistics, econometric modelling and livelihood and rural economy modelling. An Interim Report in March 2007 provides fuller details of the implementation of the programme.