Over 95% of farmers registered under FISP in Central Province reportedly redeem inputs

Government says 95.63 percent of farmers under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in Central Province have reportedly redeemed their farming inputs for the current planting season, representing 155,601 farmers.

Central Province Principal Public Relations Officer, Tobias Phiri, said 99.1 percent of the 162,711 farmers registered on the programme across the province paid their deposits, translating to 161,265 deposits.

In a statement issued in Kabwe on Monday, Phiri said Chitambo District recorded 100 percent deposits and 100 percent input redemption, leading the province in performance.

“This was followed by Serenje and Mkushi, who each have 100 percent deposits with 99.84 percent and 98.17 percent redemptions respectively,” he said.

Phiri said redemption levels in Ngabwe District stood at 98.2 percent, Shibuyunji at 97.2 percent, Chisamba at 97.9 percent, Kabwe at 95.4 percent, and Luano and Mumbwa at 94.9 percent.

He said Kapiri Mposhi District recorded 94.3 percent, while Chibombo District recorded the lowest redemption rate at 88.5 percent.

Phiri urged farmers who are yet to redeem their inputs to do so without delay.

“Farmers who are yet to redeem their inputs are further advised to quickly do so from accredited dealers promptly so as to plant while we still have good rains,” he said.

He also warned farmers against selling their redeemed inputs, noting that the practice was illegal.

“Selling redeemed inputs is a prosecutable offence,” Phiri warned.

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