The committee has published its response
The committee has responded to this consultation, question by question.
Replaces direct government fertiliser distribution with an e-voucher subsidy paid to registered farmers and makes quality testing of all subsidised fertiliser mandatory.
Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock
National Assembly
Thank you to everyone who took part. Urban participants mostly supported the e-voucher, but rural farmers, the people the subsidy is meant to reach, were far more cautious. The Committee supports the change, with amendments so it reaches rural and older farmers.
Question 1 of 1 · E-voucher subsidy and quality testing
Back to top195 of 207 people answered · Support / Don't support
Registered farmers would get an electronic voucher to buy subsidised fertiliser from approved local dealers instead of collecting it from government depots, and every subsidised batch must pass a quality test before it can be sold.
The Cabinet Secretary shall establish an electronic voucher scheme through which the fertiliser subsidy is paid directly to registered farmers for redemption at approved agro-dealers, and all fertiliser supplied under the subsidy shall be subject to mandatory quality testing by the relevant regulatory authority before sale.
What we heard
About two in three urban participants supported the e-voucher outright. Fewer than one in five rural participants did. Rural farmers told us approved agro-dealers are too far from their farms and that the register could leave people out. Older farmers worried about needing a smartphone. Everyone welcomed quality testing.
Themes raised
Committee recommendation
The Committee supports the e-voucher, with amendments: keep village depots open as voucher points until approved dealers reach every ward; register farmers for free in their own wards; allow the voucher on a basic phone or a printed card; and keep mandatory quality testing.
The committee is examining the bill and gathering the public's views before it reports to Parliament.
Bill in the National Assembly
Bill in the Senate
Becoming law
Review of the law