MoA Warns Against Collusion as FISP Moves to 100% e-Voucher System for 2025/2026
The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) has issued a stern warning to its officers against colluding with agro-dealers or imposing illegal restrictions on farmers, as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) officially transitions to a 100% e-Voucher system for the 2025/2026 farming season.
Speaking during the Orientation of Staff on the 100% e-Voucher Migration in Lusaka today, Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Mr. John Mulongoti, reminded Provincial Agricultural Coordinators (PACOs), District Agricultural Coordinators (DACOs), and Senior Marketing Development Officers (SMDOs) of their duty to uphold transparency, fairness, and professionalism.
“It is not your role to dictate brands or restrict access. Farmers are free to redeem inputs from any registered agro-dealer,” he said. “Your job is to ensure systems work and that dealers comply, not to frustrate the process.”
Mr. Mulongoti emphasized that the Ministry will not tolerate any form of collusion, corruption, or sabotage of the reform process, adding that officers must recommit to serving the interests of genuine farmers who contribute to Zambia’s food security.
“You are DACOs, PACOs, and Directors—not sponsors of ghost farmers,” he charged. “We must protect the real farmer.”
Highlighting the benefits of the e-Voucher system, Mr. Mulongoti noted that it fosters greater transparency, promotes healthy competition among agro-dealers, and enhances service delivery and input affordability for farmers.
He applauded the strong performance of 74 districts during previous rollouts and called on the 42 newly added districts to embrace the reforms and help ensure a successful nationwide implementation.
“This is more than a technical shift—it is a service reform that places the farmer at the centre of everything we do,” he added.
The Permanent Secretary also made a moral appeal to officers to take pride in their roles as stewards of Zambia’s agricultural transformation.
“After waking up and going to work each day, you should be able to say with pride, ‘I contributed to the growth of our agriculture sector—not to wrongdoing,’” he said.
He further emphasized that the Ministry is counting on the experience and dedication of SMBOs, FACOs, and all field staff to drive the successful rollout of the full e-Voucher model.
