FISP Under Fire

As Calls Grow for Forensic Audit

Concerns have emerged over the long-term inefficiency of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), with agricultural stakeholders calling for a forensic audit to assess its effectiveness and integrity.

Speaking during a live broadcast of The Neighborhood on One Love Radio, Winter Muvombo, Director of the Muvombo Development Initiative, raised alarm over the programme’s failure to meet its core objective: graduating small-scale farmers to emergent or commercial status within a three-year timeframe.

Mr. Muvombo cited the FISP Act of 2000, which clearly stipulates that farmers should benefit from the programme for only three years before progressing to higher farming categories.

However, he revealed that many beneficiaries have remained on the programme for over two decades, indicating a fundamental breakdown in implementation.

"It is disheartening that some individuals listed as FISP beneficiaries have been on the register since 2000," Mr. Muvombo said. "If you check the Ministry of Agriculture’s records, you’ll find the same names still appearing today. This is not sustainable."

He expressed concern over the financial strain FISP continues to place on government resources, despite its limited success in transforming the agricultural landscape.

Mr. Muvombo urged Parliament to revisit and review the FISP Act to realign it with current agricultural development goals.

In his call to action, Mr. Muvombo advocated for the formation of a dedicated parliamentary committee to investigate why small-scale farmers are not transitioning as expected.

He also recommended a comprehensive forensic audit, similar to that conducted within the Ministry of Health, to uncover inefficiencies and eliminate potential corruption.

“An independent audit will help cleanse the system,” he said. “There are reports that names of deceased individuals are still being used to collect inputs, and that some agricultural extension officers are forming cooperatives solely to siphon benefits meant for genuine farmers.”

Mr. Muvombo further argued that such malpractice undermines the programme’s purpose and results in significant financial losses for the government.

"We need to establish whether actual, living beneficiaries are receiving the inputs. A forensic audit will bring transparency and help redirect resources to those who truly need them," he concluded.

As calls for reform grow louder, stakeholders are urging the government to prioritize accountability and revisit FISP’s structural framework to ensure it fulfills its mandate of uplifting Zambia’s small-scale farmers.