Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa
Agriculture Permanent Secretary Julius Shawa says over 600, 000 beneficiary farmers will benefit from the Electronic voucher system during the 2016/2017 agriculture season.
Speaking when he officiated at the electron voucher sensitization meeting for ministry of Agriculture staff held at Chamba Valley Exotic hotel in Lusaka, Mr. Shawa says Cabinet has made a decision to roll out the E-voucher programme to 39 districts this year.
Mr. Shawa says the ministry is confident that there will be improvement in the provision of Government input support to small scale farmers using the Electronic- Voucher programme.
He has urged officers to be committed in implementing the E-voucher, warning that government will take stern action against those who want to frustrate the programme.
Meanwhile, Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) head Agribusiness Coillard Hamusimbi says the E-voucher will help promote agriculture diversification as it gives farmers options of growing and keeping livestock.
Mr. Hamusimbi says there is need to screen the beneficiaries as some farmers where using one card to access the inputs.