Maravi

2010 budget falls short of expectation – Kapotwe

2010 budget falls short of expectation – Kapotwe
Written by Masuzyo Chakwe
Monday, October 19, 2009 6:59:16 AM

PROGRAMME Against Malnutrition (PAM) executive director Paul Kapotwe has said the 2010 budget falls short of public expectation especially in the agriculture sector.
Commenting on the 2010 budget that was recently presented by finance minister Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, Kapotwe said on the face of it, the 2010 budget looks like one that could inspire confidence and growth.

“But with deeper analysis it falls short of public expectation especially to the agriculture sector. It is indeed only tourism, which seems to have been of key focus in 2010. Other sectors appear positive but with marginal growths over 2009,” he said.

Regarding agriculture, Kapotwe said it was worth noting that though the numbers look higher, from K1.096 trillion to K1.139 trillion, the increase over the 2009 budget was only four per cent while total funding to the agriculture sector as a percentage of the national budget was only seven per cent.

Kapotwe said this sector funding level yet again fell below the Maputo declaration and pledge to provide at least 10 per cent of the annual national budget to agriculture.

“The bulk of the agriculture budget yet again is taken up by the subsidised Farmer Input Support Programme at 38 per cent with other notable budget heads like personal emoluments, capital expenditure and recurrent costs follow on,” he said.

“In the face of escalating food prices and challenging issues of malnutrition, we would have been happier to see our government plan to spend more on the agriculture sector to at least reach the 10 per cent Maputo threshold. Programmes like the PAM/MCDSS Food Security Pack programme (FSP), which has remained at K10 billion for the past three fiscal budgets will just receive one per cent of the 2010 agriculture sector budget.”

He said the PAM/MCDSS FSP was a critical safety net for the vast majority who could not even afford the subsidised FISP programme, which would received K430 billion next year.

”We are hopeful, however that as Parliament deliberates the budget more re-alignment and possible supplementation of funds within the budget term will be provided to enhance some critical areas come January 2010. We also hope that budgetary releases and funding commitments are adhered to avoid delays in programme implementation,” said Kapotwe.

Labels: BUDGET

posted by MrK @ 6:00 AM