By Jane Chanda
Zambia National Farmers Union President Jervis Zimba says the newly launched Ulimi Services Input Scheme is a game-changer for small-scale farmers in Zambia, providing them with access to quality inputs and financial services.
In an interview with Daily Revelation yesterday, Zimba explained that the scheme was designed to support household food security and nutrition, as well as commercial farming.
“We have two products under Ulimi Services – the ZNFU Ulimi Starter Pack and the ZNFU Ulimi Input Credit Scheme. The Starter Pack is designed to support small-scale farmers with inputs such as maize seed, legumes, and fertilizers, while the Input Credit Scheme targets commercial farmers who need financing to purchase inputs,” Zimba said.
He emphasised that the scheme was open to all farmers, and that NGOs, Faith-Based Organisations, and the government departments could also secure the packs for their targeted vulnerable groups.
“We want to ensure that all farmers have access to quality inputs and financial services, regardless of their scale of production,” he said.
Zimba said the Ulimi Input Credit Scheme allowed farmers to pay 50 percent of the cost of inputs, while the financial services provider advanced the other 50 percent as credit.
“This scheme addresses the challenge of access to finance that has been facing farmers for years. We are confident that it will increase productivity and market reach for our farmers,” he said.
Zimba also highlighted the use of cashless payment methods through USSD mobile money codes, which promoted financial inclusion and ensured that farmers received quality inputs from reputable agribusiness companies.
“We are committed to supporting our farmers and ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to succeed,” he said. “I want to assure our farmers that we are not just providing them with inputs and finance, but we are also giving them dignity and hope for a better future.”
He said farmers were the backbone of the nation, and it was time they were empowered to reach their full potential.
He said with Ulimi Services, the union was confident that Zambia would become a breadbasket of Africa, and farmers would be the ones leading the change.
