Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri has announced that all farmers receiving government-subsidized fertilizer will be required to sell 10 bags of maize (50kg each) to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) as part of their commitment to the program.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Thursday, Phiri emphasized that non-compliant farmers would be excluded from the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in future seasons.
“Prior to the migration of the 74 districts to the e-voucher system in the 2024/2025 farming season, all 1,024,434 farmer beneficiaries underwent verification. They signed a commitment to sell a minimum of 10 bags of white maize to the FRA,” Phiri stated.
To ensure compliance, the Zambia Agriculture Integrated Management Information System (ZAIMIS) will be used to monitor and track the fulfillment of this obligation.
This measure is part of the government’s efforts to boost national food security and maintain strategic reserves, ensuring the FRA has adequate stocks to stabilize maize prices and support the country’s staple food supply.
The decision has sparked debate among stakeholders, with some farmers supporting the initiative as a way to guarantee market access, while others argue it limits their freedom to sell to alternative buyers who may offer better prices.
As the 2024/2025 farming season progresses, all eyes will be on the implementation and impact of this new directive on maize production and food security in Zambia.