TEN Southern African Development Community (Sadc) countries have paid out more than $1bn in agricultural subsidies in the last 16 years but these have failed to ease rural poverty, and the overuse of hybrid maize seed and fertiliser has resulted in a deterioration of soil quality in the region, a study released on Monday has found.The African Centre for Biodiversity said a new research report on Farm Input Subsidy Programmes (Fisps) found that 10 African governments have spent close on 30% of their agricultural budgets on large-scale Fisps since 2000.The programmes, which provide 30%–100% subsidies on the price of fertiliser and seed (normally hybrid maize), aim to reduce food insecurity and reduce rural poverty."Of the 15 countries that comprise Sadc, Botswana and Lesotho offer universal input subsidy schemes, and Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe provide targeted, large-scale programmes. The remaining countries, including SA, practice...

Subscribe now to unlock this article.

Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).

There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.

Cancel anytime.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.