JCTR hail introduction of e-voucher system

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) says the use of the pilot e-voucher system for the 2015/2016 farming season will cut down on Fertilizer Input Support Programme (FISP) costs and improve agriculture.

The JCTR says this includes transportation and logistical costs to get inputs to farmers.

It says these costs will be cut down with the e-voucher as government will partner with local based agro dealers to provide the necessary inputs and agricultural extension staff will spend less time on distributing inputs.

The JCTR says the cost-saving on FISP allows government to invest in diversifying agriculture production and outputs as well as improving accessibility to rural farming households amongst other things.

It notes that this could significantly reduce the cost of agriculture production and consequently have a positive bearing on the cost of living.

Meanwhile the JCTR Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for the month of May for an average family of five living in Lusaka recorded a minimal reduction in the cost of food items from K1, 008.41 to K983.56 representing a 2.5% decrease.

The cost of living for the month of May 2015 as calculated by JCTR’s Basic Needs Basket (BNB) for an average family of five living in Lusaka was K3, 677.28.

This shows a decrease of K73.76 in the cost of living from the April 2015 basket of K3, 759.04.

The JCTR says the downward trend in the basket could be attributed to a decrease in non-food items from K2, 750.63 in April to K2, 693.72 in May.

However, in annual comparisons to May 2014 when the BNB stood at K3, 636.46, the cost of this year’s Basic Needs Basket has increased by K40.82.

The JCTR notes that with most of the average Zambian wages falling below the BNB, as noted in the 2012 Labour Force Survey, managing the cost of food items remains a priority in addressing the overall cost of living.

The JCTR has since urged the government to be vigilant in seeing the pilot of the E-voucher take off due to its envisaged positive impact on use of resources in the agriculture sector.