By White Luhanga
The Ministry of Agriculture says the process of redeeming farming inputs for the 2025/2026 farming season under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) will commence on Monday, August 25, 2025.
Ministry of Agriculture Principal Public Relations Officer Balewa Zyuulu says the government remains committed to enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability in FISP implementation.
Mr Zyuulu says the Ministry has partnered with three Mobile Network Operators to introduce an electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) system for verifying beneficiaries, ensuring only eligible farmers benefit.
He says farmers are advised to use their active mobile numbers, registered under their National Registration Cards (NRCs) and mobile money wallets, for accurate identification and processing of agricultural insurance and payments.
Meanwhile, Mr Zyuulu says FISP beneficiaries who have sold a minimum of 10 bags of 50 kg white maize grain and 7 bags of 40 kg paddy rice (unpolished) to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) but haven’t received payment yet will have K400 deducted from their proceeds as part of the farmer contribution for the 2025/2026 farming season.
He says the direct deduction aims to minimise additional costs for farmers and ensure a smooth start to the FISP redemption process.
Mr Zyuulu says farmers who have already been paid in full will receive Authority to Deposit (ATD) notifications to facilitate their deposit of the K400 contribution into FISP-authorised accounts.
He says new beneficiaries will be required to make a deposit of K400 as a farmer’s contribution upon receiving their ATD notifications.
Mr Zyuulu says it is the government’s desire for farmers to receive farming inputs on time, and beneficiaries are not allowed to sell the farming inputs.
He says any farmer or agro-dealer found violating the guidelines will be deregistered and prohibited from participating in the programme.
©️ Zambia Reports | August 23rd, 2025.