Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
The opposition UPND says government should come to terms that the recently launched electronic voucher system under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is a flop.
UPND Chairman for Rural Reconstruction and Development Moono Mapani says government should realize that it is punishing farmers in the 13 pilot districts where the program is being implemented because the program is not working according to the initial plan.
Mr. Mapani tells QFM News that government should therefore revert to the old system of supplying farming inputs to farmers because the e-voucher system has failed.
He states that from his interactions with the people in rural areas, it has been established that most dealers do not have inputs and that most farmers have not yet received their cards.
Mr. Mapani says this is causing panic among farmers.
He adds that if this situation is left unchecked, it might affect crop production for the coming farming season.
He further reminds government that input prices have gone up and that the money loaded on the e-voucher cards is not enough for farmers to buy the full package of inputs.
Mr. Mapani has since advised Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda to advise the President correctly and consider reverting to the old system of supplying farming inputs before the country’s food security is tempered with.