By George Mkandawire

The African Development Bank, ADB president Donald Kaberuka has urged government to find an exit strategy from the fertilizer subsidy programme.

Kaberuka spoke at a news conference in the Capital- Lilongwe at the end of his three-day visit to Malawi.

His remarks came just a day after the ADB boss hailed the programme saying it had helped to address food security at the household level.

He also called on donors to support the intervention.

But speaking to journalists on Thursday, Kaberuka said the subsidy programme could not be sustained, hence the need to prepare for its phase out.

According to the ADB president, subsidies are meant to help farmers take off
and that after being empowered, they should be left alone.

Kaberuka however could not give a specific timeframe during which the programme could be phased out.

He only asked government to work out the modalities.

For the past three years, president Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration has been implementing the fertilizer subsidy which commentators say is a flop saying it does not assist the intended beneficiaries.