80% OF CENTRAL FARMERS HAVE MADE DEPOSITS UNDER FISP

GOVERNMENT says 80 percent of registered beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) have so far deposited their farmer contribution of K400 into the FISP account.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe disclosed that Central province has 162,711 FISP allocation under which 130,751 farmers has so far made deposits representing 80 percent.

Dr Mwanakampwe was speaking in a press briefing in Kabwe district.

He also revealed that 11,3491 farmers have so far redeemed their farming inputs from authorized agro dealers.

Dr Mwanakampwe has since encouraged farmers to make their farmer contribution quickly and ensure that they obtain farming inputs on time.

And Kabwe District Commissioner, Lennox Shimwambwa, urged staff in the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite the FISP implementation exercise to allow farmers to plant their crops timely.

“So far, the district is at 53 percent in terms of redemptions and that he wants the numbers to increase in the shortest possible time,” Mr Shimwambwa disclosed.

He has also called on all farmers to adhere to the FISP/FRA bonding agreement next year to avoid the issues of late deposits.

Meanwhile, a farmer, Gladys Munsanje of Tusole women’s club in Kabwe district, has called on the government to consider increasing the number of FISP packs, as the number of beneficiary farmers has increased overtime.

Meanwhile, LENZY MWILA reports that the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, through the Department of Community Development, has officially launched the Food Security Pack (FSP) for the 2025/2026 farming season in Chitambo District, Central province.

Speaking during the launch, District Commissioner, Topson Kunda, emphasized that the Food Security Pack remains one of the government’s most impactful programmes, designed to support vulnerable yet viable households in increasing their agricultural productivity and securing food at the household level.

Mr Kunda said the digital approach would prevent such occurrences and ensure that inputs reach the intended households.

“The migration from manual processes to a digital system will greatly enhance transparency and accountability. Under the new system, beneficiaries will receive unique codes that they can redeem through a government portal. This move is expected to reduce cases of fraud and eliminate duplication of beneficiaries, a problem experienced last year when 42 beneficiaries received double inputs, resulting in an audit query,” Mr Kunda explained.

Mr Kunda announced that Chitambo District has been allocated a total of 2,448 beneficiaries for this farming season. He expressed satisfaction that the district had received 100 percent of all inputs, which are now ready for distribution.

“The beneficiaries are to use the inputs wisely, advising them to plant, nurture, and harvest responsibly to improve their livelihoods,” he urged.

And District Community Development Officer, Harvey Simunyola, Mr Simunyola explained that the programme supports households such as female-headed homes, those with elderly members, households caring for orphans, unemployed youths, and those with terminally ill individuals. -NAIS