FARMERS in Southern province are breathing a sigh of relief as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) e-voucher system continues to yield positive results. The programme which has been rolled out across the country has seen significant improvements in transparency, efficiency and farmer choice.

The e-voucher system has empowered farmers to select inputs that meet their specific needs, strengthened private sector participation and improved delivery efficiency. This has led to a surge in agro-dealer

participation injecting new life in rural economies. The increased competition has also driven down costs making inputs more affordable for farmers.

Isaac Moonga, a small scale farmer of Mazabuka district in Southern province who has been benefiting from FISP since 2013 says the FISP programme has been a game changer. He has brought significant changes to his farming by investing in assets like a tractor, ripper and cattle while improving his practices through mechanization.

Mr Moonga now appreciates the flexibility of the e-voucher system which allows farmers to access a range of inputs including herbicides, insecticides and a variety of seed.

“The e-voucher system is a huge improvement over the Direct Input Supply (DIS) system which had issues of unfair allocations of inputs among members of cooperatives as well as hustle of queuing for inputs. With e-voucher, I redeem my inputs alone and I know exactly what am getting,” he

shared Mr Isaac Moonga’s sentiments echoes among other farmers like Theresa Namaala, a vibrant farmer from Kalomo district. She is one of the beneficiaries of FISP under the e-voucher modality.

“The e-voucher system has given me the freedom to make choices and control my farming business. By early September this year, I had already redeemed my inputs which enabled me to plant on time,” Ms Namaala said.

Theresa Namaala’s farming experience is a testament to the impact of FISP under the e-voucher modality. She is optimistic that the quality inputs she received will translate to increased yields and improved livelihood.

Prudence Mazila, a seasoned farmer from Monze district with a decade of experience lauds the bonding of maize by Food Reserve Agency (FRA) as farmers who had bonded last year automatically received redemption codes this year helping them get inputs on time.

The implementation of FISP through the e-voucher system has streamlined the input supply chain, reducing delays and ensuring timely access to critical farming inputs. Farmers are now able to access quality inputs which is expected to lead to improved crop yields and enhanced food security

prospects.

Ministry of Agriculture, Senior Agricultural officer for Kalomo, Oscar Makuyu disclosed that out 31,000 farmers on the FISP list in Kalomo 22,248 farmers by early December had already redeemed inputs. He also noted that there has been an increase in the number of farmers who have redeemed their inputs and participated in the 2025/2026 season compared to previous years.

“The transition from DIS to e-voucher has increased the number of packs and crop diversity this year has also increased as farmers are able to choose different seeds to redeem, Mr Makuyu observed.

The E-voucher system has also brought about improved accountability and transparency in the distribution of inputs whilst reducing the risk of diversion and ensuring that farmers receive the support they need. This has boosted farmer confidence in the programme leading to increased participation and redemption rates.

Ministry of Agriculture District Marketing Officer for Kalomo, Ernest Koti, highlighted that the system has helped to improve their targeting of beneficiaries and reduce errors. He also noted that the integration of the FRA to the system has simplified the process as redeeming codes are sent on time.

And Ministry of Agriculture District Coordinator, Dennis Moonga, for Monze observes that the E-voucher system is working well in Monze district.

“It has brought competition among agro-dealers which has led to reduced costs for farmers. We are seeing more farmers accessing quality inputs and in good time,” Mr Moonga said.

The impact of FISP is not limited to individual farmers as it is also contributing to the country’s economic growth. The programme has created employment opportunities for many Zambians from agro dealers to

logistic providers. In addition, the increased agricultural production is expected to contribute to the country’s gross domestic product and reduce reliance on imports.

As FISP continues to evolve and expand, it is clear that the programme is making positive impact on the lives of Zambian farmers. With increased access to quality inputs and enhanced food security prospects, farmers are empowered to improve livelihoods and contribute to the country’s economic growth. The future looks bright for Zambian agriculture and FISP is playing a significant role in driving this progress. -NAIS