SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This paper provides a preliminary analysis of coupon receipt in the 2008/9 and 2009/10 seasons as reported by households interviewed in the 2010/11 Malawi Integrated Household Survey (IHS3). Information on the 2008/9 season was obtained from a smaller number of households than for the 2009/10 season, with a longer recall period that may have affected the accuracy of some data. The sampling population included urban and rural households and broadly but not exactly comparable with sample populations for the household surveys conducted in the FISP evaluations in 2006/7, 2008/9 and 2010/11. Estimates of total fertiliser coupon distribution are similar to but lower than estimates from the FISP evaluation surveys but there is consistency in apparent increased reduction in diversion after the 2008/9 season. General patterns of targeting of fertiliser coupons and of ‘sharing’ are similar across the different surveys. Across the surveys there is no evidence of pro-poor targeting and some evidence of bias against poorer households, but not against female headed households. IHS3 respondents reported very few of irregularities in coupon distribution and redemption. Estimates of seed coupon receipts are, however, very low.