In Zambia, 675,459 farmers had collected their inputs by 23 October under the Agricultural Input Support Programme 2026-2027, or 65.93% of the 1,024,434 intended beneficiaries, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on Saturday.
Farmers still eligible have been urged to use their electronic vouchers quickly at accredited distributors. The ministry advises them to protect their withdrawal codes, while resellers must keep sufficient stocks of seed and fertiliser as the farming season approaches.
This progress comes two days after the presentation to Parliament of a supplementary budget including 1.1 billion kwacha to complete funding for the programme and its electronic vouchers. The allocation remains subject to approval by the National Assembly.
The scheme subsidises inputs for smallholder farmers. An assessment published in 2026 with support from the World Bank notes that the programme has absorbed more than 60% of the Ministry of Agriculture’s budget in recent years, making it a major lever for production and food security.
The ministry has also invited farmers to consult extension officers to choose varieties suited to seasonal forecasts. It raises the risk of localised droughts, possibly linked to El Niño.