The Ministry of Agriculture has urged beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support

programme- FISP- to ensure that their names match with the details on the National

Registration Cards –NRC- and mobile phone sim cards.

Speaking in an interview with NAIS, Ministry of Agriculture Information and

Communication Technology –ICT- Director James Kalengo said this will enable

beneficiaries not to be disqualified from taking part in this year’s programme.

Mr Kalengo noted that the Ministry is carrying out the verification exercise to ensure that

only intended citizens benefit from FISP.

He disclosed that the ministry has managed to remove ghost farmers from the system as they

are being identified through their National Registration Cards –NRC and mobile phone sim

cards.

“I’m urging all FISP beneficiaries to ensure that they verify their details before applying for

the ATDs. Beneficiaries must ensure that the details in the NRC must match with the ones on

their mobile sim cards so that they are not inconvenienced regarding acquisition of farming

inputs,” indicated Mr Kalengo.

Mr Kalengo stated that the Ministry has been facing challenges in implementing the

programme as some names of FISP beneficiaries do not match with the ones on their Mobile

Sim Cards.

He said the Ministry was working hard to ensure that the system is cleaned up so that the

farming inputs do not end up in wrong hands.

Meanwhile, Mr Kalengo revealed that thousands of FISP- beneficiaries under the electronic

Voucher system have started receiving their Authority to Deposit- ATDs.

Mr Kalengo elucidated that the ATDs are aimed at enabling FISP beneficiaries to deposit

their 400 Kwacha contribution for them to collect the farming inputs.

He explained that the ministry has also registered more than 300, 000 FISP beneficiaries

under the Zambia Integrated Information Management System –ZIAMIS- to smoothen the E-

voucher system.

Mr. Kalengo said the ministry intends to conclude the process in two weeks’ time in order to

ensure that farmers acquire their farming inputs before the onset of the rains.

He noted that government is implementing the E-Voucher system in order to curb ghost

farmers who sometimes sale the inputs.

Mr Kalengo added that the electronic system also offers an opportunity for FISP beneficiaries

to choose farming inputs suitable for their area.

He further explained that the system promotes the agricultural diversification agenda in order

to enhance the country’s food systems.

Mr Kalengo also revealed that over 800 agro dealers have been engaged by the Ministry in

respective districts to ensure that farmers access the inputs near.

He stressed that government through FISP has empowered small businesses in the country by

engaging them to supply farming inputs to beneficiaries. -NAIS