Farmers back full e-voucher rollout, as Mazabuka consultations end

The Ministry of Agriculture has reportedly completed Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with farmers in Mazabuka as part of the ongoing review of the 2024/2025 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) Electronic Voucher (e-Voucher) system.

The insights gathered will inform the nationwide rollout of the 100 percent e-Voucher system for the 2025/26 farming season, according to the Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Balewa Zyuulu.

Zyuulu in a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday said the Mazabuka FDGs were part of a broader evaluation covering 20 districts across 10 Provinces and preliminary findings from the discussions indicate strong support for the e-Voucher system.

He stated that farmers welcomed the flexibility to choose crop inputs, timely access to agro-inputs, and greater control over their farming decisions.

“Many noted that they received inputs early, enabling them to plant on time, and even managed to save money for other investments. Agro-dealer shops that provided good service and had sufficient stock were also praised,” Zyuulu said.

He added that several farmers encouraged others to join the system, viewing it as a reliable path to improved productivity and food security.

Zyuulu said a key highlight of the discussions was the transition from the Direct Input Supply (DIS) model to a market-based e-Voucher system.

“Although some farmers initially expected uniform pricing, most now recognise that market-driven prices promote healthy competition, offering them better choices, improved service, and more affordable options,” he said.

He noted that this change also reduces the government’s burden, shifting its role from procuring inputs to directly empowering farmers.

Zyuulu highlighted that despite the overall positive sentiment, farmers pointed out a few operational challenges some encountered, which they believe can be rectified in the coming season.

“In some instances, farmers reported operational delays, system downtimes and queues at redemption points, limited seed variety, delayed difficulty accessing preferred early-maturing seeds, travel expenses for farmers in remote areas,” he said.

He stated that to address these issues, farmers recommended several actions such as increasing the number of local agro-dealers to improve access and enhancing the speed and reliability of the system.

Other recommendations included allowing flexibility to redeem inputs from multiple dealers and strengthening communication between program officers and farmers.

Similary, commenting on the findings, John Mulongoti, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services at the Ministry said the feedback from Mazabuka farmers calling for more agro-dealers, faster code activation, and clearer communication was guiding the preparations for a smoother, more efficient national rollout, as announced by the Minister in March 2025

“We are encouraged by the positive feedback from our farmers in Mazabuka. They have confirmed that the e-Voucher system is empowering them by providing timely access to inputs and contributing to better harvests,” Mulongoti added.

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