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Agriculture
A fruitful harvest is critical for the Zambian people
The country experienced a modest food surplus
arising from the 2009 crop harvest. Notable con-
tributions were received from small-scale farmers
supported by the Farmer Input Support Programme
(FISP) and marketing services. As such, government
will continue providing assistance through the FSIP
to enable such farmers to attain even higher produc-
tion in future.
PROGRAMMES & INITIATIVES
During 2010, Zambian government began to focus
on:
• Stabilizing fertilizer prices while making fertilizer
more widely available through the
Farmer Input Support Programme (formerly the Fer-
tilizer Support Programme)
• Improving credit availability in rural areas in part-
nership with donors
• Encouraging increased investment in the sector
by both small and large-scale farmers through the
development of infrastructure to support farm blocks
across the country
• The introduction of an Agricultural Marketing Bill
that will allow small-scale farmers to market their
produce directly to buyers
Farmer Support Programmes
The government has for some years encouraged
food production by subsidizing farming inputs like
fertilizer, seeds and chemicals for small-scale farm-
ers under the Fertilizer Support Programme (FSP).
A review of the FSP – renamed the Farmer Input
Support Programme (FISP) – was undertaken in
2009 and some recommendations were imple-
mented for the 2009/10 farming season. This has
produced a rational distribution of fertilizer and seed
for small-scale farmers. As a result the number of
beneficiaries of the FISP has doubled to 534,000 eli-
gible farmers, which has increased the programme’s
coverage and effectiveness.
Furthermore, the efficiency of distribution has been
improved through the use of institutions at the agri-
cultural camp level rather than at the district level,
and through the increased participation of commu-
nity organizations. Farmers receiving fertilizer will
be targeted for support from agricultural extension
workers to ensure that their fertilizer is applied cor-
rectly and efficiently.
With these interventions, the government expects
crop yields to improve significantly. As such, a total
of K 430 billion has been allocated to the FISP in
2010.
Infrastructure Development
In order to boost investment and productivity in the
sector, the development of farm blocks, character-
ized by large and small-scale operations co-existing
in a symbiotic relationship, is being heavily pursued.
The 155,000-hectare Nansanga Farm Block in Ser-
enje District is expected to be a model of agricultural
development in Zambia. When fully operational, it
will resemble the Nakambala Sugar Estates – al-
though ten times the size – with large both large-
scale commercial farming estates and small-scale
farmers located within a close proximity to one an-
other.
The Nansanga farm block and the construction of
new roads, bridges in addition to the K 3 billion that
has been allocated for the construction of dams has
dramatically set a precedent for further change in
the agricultural sector. Nansanga is being vigorously
marketed to investors, and substantial interest has
already been expressed in the block.
Similar infrastructure development is taking place in
the Luena Farm Block in Kawambwa district. This is
an area with vast potential for the development of the
sugar industry, and K 3.4 billion has been provided
for preliminary development work.
Improving Market Access
Increasing crop yields alone is not sufficient to im-
prove the incomes of farming populations. While the
FRA is a major marketing agent for small-scale farm-
ers, it is important that an effective and sustainable
crop marketing institution is established in order to
enhance earnings.