An assessment of the distribution of fertiliser donated by the Government of Morocco has found that the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) distribution system has glaring deficiencies.

This as the Auditor General (AG) noted that while RADA established standard operating procedures for the distribution of agricultural inputs, it was unable to confirm that the fertiliser allocated to Members of Parliament (MPs) for subsequent distribution reached the intended farmers.

As such, the AG has recommended that RADA implements an accountability mechanism for managing Government resources, including segregation of duties and mandatory reporting to the Agriculture Ministry to strengthen oversight of distribution activities.

In the audit report, tabled in Parliament on Tuesday, the AG explained that in a bid to boost production, productivity and food security, the Ministry of Agriculture, through RADA, launched the Production Incentive Programme.

The programme is aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity, food security, income generation, foreign exchange and rural development.

Achieving this goal relies heavily on the effective management and use of agricultural inputs, such as fertilisers and seeds.

A performance audit was conducted to assess RADA’s efficiency and effectiveness in managing and monitoring the programme.

The audit revealed shortcomings in target design and performance monitoring, as well as adherence to protocols for beneficiary selection and the distribution of farm inputs.

It said deficiencies in internal controls for the distribution of Moroccan fertiliser compromised the transparency and accountability mechanisms.

The AG noted that RADA’s standard operating procedures stipulate that agricultural extension officers or agricultural assistants should compile beneficiary lists, based on an assessment of needs recorded on a beneficiary assessment and verification form.

Beneficiaries are recommended by stakeholders, such as extension officers, MPs and agricultural groups.

A special audit of RADA’s records revealed that from 2019 to 2023, over 11,000 bags of fertiliser, valued at $54 million, acquired under a bilateral arrangement with Morocco, were allocated directly to MPs for further distribution to farmers.

However, the report said RADA did not provide evidence of the controls in place to ensure that the fertiliser reached the intended farmers.

RADA indicated that despite repeated requests, MPs did not submit distribution sheets detailing recipients.

Accordingly, RADA could not provide proof that the fertiliser reached legitimate farmers or that proper measures were followed.

The veracity of the distribution process was further compromised because extension officers, who are responsible for assessing the needs of farmers, were not involved in the process.

The AG said RADA responded to the findings by indicating that, in keeping with the long-established practice, MPs have always been involved in the distribution of inputs to farmers.

For the Moroccan fertiliser, the instruction on the allocation to MPs was provided by a technical team.

RADA further claimed that the Permanent Secretary in the Agriculture Ministry reportedly had no discussion regarding MPs or other persons being included on the list for fertiliser distribution, nor is he aware of any such directive.

Meanwhile, the AG said RADA’s inventory management of the distribution of Moroccan fertiliser to farmers revealed the absence of proper segregation of duties, while stock records were not maintained on a perpetual inventory basis.