FARMERS in Chongwe are raising a critical concern that reflects a broader, often overlooked issue in the nation’s agricultural policy, the overemphasis on maize production under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). The calls from farmers like Ms. Theresa Chewe and Mavis Chikumbi to diversify support for other nutritious crops such as cassava, sweet potatoes, and indigenous maize varieties are not just reasonable but essential for building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural system. Their concerns deserve to be taken seriously, and urgent reforms to FISP should be considered to meet the evolving needs of the farming community. At present, FISP’s near-exclusive focus on maize has created a one-dimensional agricultural landscape where farmers are incentivised to grow a single crop, despite the risks and limitations associated with such narrow production. As Ms. Chewe aptly pointed out, the lack of a guaranteed market for alternative crops, like cassava and sweet potatoes, discourages farmers from diversifying. […]
EXPANDING FISP
