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The 2023/2024 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) will be implemented using two modalities, the Direct Input Supply and the Electronic Voucher System, Agriculture Minister, Reuben Mtolo, told Parliament in a Ministerial Statement on Wednesday in Lusaka.
Mtolo said about 1,024, 434 farmers are earmarked to benefit under the programme.
He said the programme will be implemented using two modalities namely Direct Input Supply (DIS) and the Electronic Voucher System in order to reach more farmers.
“The Direct Input Supply modality will be implemented in Eastern, Northern, Luapula, Copperbelt, Muchinga and Western Provinces covering a total of 551,187 small holder farmers,” he said.
Mtolo said E-Voucher will be implemented in Lusaka, Central, Southern and North Western Provinces covering a total of 473, 247 small holder farmers.
He said the total estimated cost to government for the 2023/2024 FISP was K7.152, 481, 292.47billion of which E-Voucher is K1.549, 273,497.68billion while for DIS is over K5.603, 207, 794.80billion.
“You may wish to note that farmers on E-Voucher will be at liberty to choose agriculture inputs which are not limited to Fertilizer, Maize and Legumes’. The fixed value of the pack is approximately K9, 581.18,” Mtolo said.
He further clarified that there was no delay in the procurement of inputs and as of Friday 7th July, 2023, United Capital Fertilizer had delivered 28, 860 metric tonnes which is about 37.44percent out of the 120, 380metric tonnes of Compound D.
Mtolo said the procurement process for 120,380.25 metric tonnes of Urea will be concluded with this month and the status applies to the procurement of various types of seed.
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