Zambia’s government proposed a second K19.9 billion supplementary budget for 2026 to Parliament on Thursday 22 October, including K14.7 billion to pay farmers who supplied maize to the Food Reserve Agency.
Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane requested K15.8 billion for the Ministry of Agriculture. In addition to farmer payments, K1.1 billion would complete funding for the Farmer Input Support Programme and its electronic voucher system.
The state agency bought 2.7 million tonnes of maize against an initial target of 500,000 tonnes. Procurement reached 5.4 times the target, increasing the amount owed to farmers after a stronger than expected harvest.
The government plans to finance K18 billion of the supplementary package through domestic borrowing, just over 90% of the total. The request remains subject to approval by the National Assembly.
Authorities say the purchases are intended to strengthen food reserves before less favourable conditions expected in 2027 under the influence of El Niño.