Central farmers begin receiving inputs
By Thandizo Banda
FARMERS in Central Province have started accessing agricultural inputs for the 2025/2026 farming season through the electronic voucher (e-voucher) system.
The system adopted from the traditional direct input supply (DIS) modality allows farmers to make a K400 contribution and then redeem their e-voucher for inputs of their choice (fertiliser, chemicals, seed and others) from registered agro dealers.
Central Province permanent secretary Dr Milner Mwanakampwe said in an interview with The Mast a total of 167,711 small-scale farmers would receive seed and fertiliser under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Dr Mwanakampwe said 167,711 farmers were granted authority to deposit the required K400, with 5,032 others having already redeemed inputs.
He said he was optimistic that all eligible farmers would access subsidised seed and fertiliser before the onset of rains.
“Our people may wish to know that the FISP window has already opened, and Central Province was the first to begin to enlist the farmers. As we speak, 10 per cent of the 167,711 farmers have made their deposits, while 3 per cent have already collected the inputs,” Dr Mwanakampwe said.
Meanwhile, Dr Mwanakampwe says the province has surpassed the 80,000 metric tons maize buying target under the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).
“We have actually surpassed the target of 80,000 metric tons to 167,000, which is double the target. We shall, however, continue buying grain from the farmers until early October. We envisage to purchase about 200,000 metric tons by the end of September,” said Dr Mwanakampwe.
Dr Mwanakampwe said government was on top of things to ensure that farmers do not wait unneccesarily long for their money after selling their produce to the agency.
He said additional depot clerks and sacks and scales had been made available to ensure quick transactions.
