By Jane Chanda
Ministry of Agriculture permanent secretary Secretary John Mulongoti, has announced that the government has paid close to 100 percent of the outstanding arrears for suppliers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) for the 2023/2024 farming season, totaling ZMW4,167,862,835.
In a statement released yesterday, Mulongoti revealed that the remaining balance, less than three percent would be cleared once reconciliations with suppliers were completed and approved.
The permanent secretary stated this move paved the way for the commencement of the 2024/25 FISP e-voucher rollout on September 2, 2024.
He stated that the programme would be implemented using the electronic voucher (e-voucher) modality in 74 districts and the Direct Input Supply (DIS) modality in the remaining 42 districts.
Mulongoti emphasised that the e-voucher modality aimed to transform the Zambian agricultural sector by enhancing farmers’ choices of inputs, creating jobs, ensuring cost-effective and timely inputs distribution, and promoting agricultural diversification.
“To ensure a smooth rollout, the government will announce pre-financing mechanisms in the coming weeks to facilitate timely e-voucher transactions and payments for inputs under the 2024/25 FISP,” Mulongoti stated.
He stated that the the e-voucher system was designed to empower farmers and promote transparency and accountability in the distribution of inputs.
“We are confident that this system will address the challenges faced by farmers in previous seasons and ensure that they receive the necessary inputs on time,” he stated.
Mulongoti also noted that the government was working closely with stakeholders to ensure that the inputs distribution program was successful.
“We are engaging with suppliers, agro-dealers, and farmers to ensure that everyone understands the new system and is prepared for the rollout,” he stated.
Mulongoti urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the e-voucher system.
“We encourage farmers to participate fully in the program and take advantage of the benefits offered by the e-voucher system,” he stated. “With this system, farmers will have more control over their inputs and be able to make informed decisions about their farming activities,” he stated.
Mulongoti assured that the government was committed to supporting the agricultural sector and promoting economic growth.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that the FISP program is successful and that farmers receive the necessary support to increase their productivity and contribute to the country’s food security,” he stated.
Mulongoti stated that the successful rollout of the e-voucher system was expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector, leading to increased productivity, improved food security, and economic growth.
“With the government’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting agricultural development, the future of Zambia’s agricultural sector looks bright,” stated the permanent secretary.
