By 
Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary, John Mulongoti, has urged financial and insurance institutions to leverage on technology platforms to serve underserved farming communities in the country.
Mulongoti reaffirmed government’s support for innovations that empower smallholder farmers and strengthen Zambia’s food systems.
Speaking during the ZANACO re-launch of the Maano Virtual Farmers Market App in Mumbwa District of Central Province on Monday, Mulongoti encouraged the farmers to also utilise such platforms to grow their businesses and enhance their resilience.
He stated that the government, private sector, and development partners should ensure that no farmer was left behind in Zambia’s agricultural and digital transformation.
“With over 122,000 farmers already on board, MAANO is a scalable solution that complements both government extension services and private sector outreach,” Mulongoti said.
He further called on development partners to support the expansion and long term sustainability of such digital innovations.
Mulongoti said the government remained committed to transforming agriculture into a viable and sustainable business for smallholder farmers.
“This commitment is reflected in our policies, which prioritise market access, financial inclusion, climate resilience, and digital transformation as key drivers of agricultural growth,” he stated.
ZANACO Chief Executive Officer, Mukwandi Chibesakunda, said the re-launch of the Maano Virtual Farmers Market App was a bold step forward in the shared mission to empower farmers, strengthen communities, and drive inclusive economic growth.
“Digital Paygo, a proud subsidiary of Zanaco, has once again demonstrated the power of innovation to deliver shareholder value while staying true to our You First brand promise, where we are putting our customers, communities, staff and Zambia at the centre of everything we do,” she said.
Chibesakunda stated that the platform was more than a digital tool but a lifeline for over 122,000 farmers, connecting them to markets, financial services, insurance, transport, and knowledge.
She said the bank’s recent US$250 million syndicated facility to finance fertilizer production through Universal Capital Fertilizer was a clear demonstration of the commitment to strengthening local value chains and ensuring farmers have the inputs they need to thrive.
“The Maano App is a game-changer. It digitizes the agricultural value chain, enabling faster, more transparent, and efficient market transactions.
It brings together smallholder farmers, aggregators, and off-takers in a seamless ecosystem that promotes trust, growth, and resilience,” Chibesakunda said.
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