WHILE the Agriculture, Fisheries and Livestock sector has been allocated an increased funding of K13.8 billion from K11 billion in the 2023 budget, government has reduced the allocation to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to K8.6 billion from K9.1 billion in 2023.
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According to Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane, the allocation to FISP is meant to benefit 1 million vulnerable but viable farmers.
Dr Musokotwane also said the FISP will largely be administered through the electronic voucher system (e-voucher), which will accommodate 77 percent of farmers, while 23 percent will be administered via the Direct Input Supply (DIS) system.
And Dr Musokotwane has allocated K1.7 billion to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for strategic food reserves.
Meanwhile, government has also prioritised the development of farm blocks around the country in the 2024 national budget.
Minister of Finance Dr. Musokotwane says: “The completion of the development of the identified farm blocks will be a game changer to boosting agricultural production and productivity.
“In this regard, I have allocated K598.4 million towards the Nansanga, Luena, Luswishi and Shikabeta farm blocks. This amount will go towards the construction of at least 300 kilometres of roads and 10 bridges as well as electrification and irrigation development.”
He has also allocated K386.0 million to the Zambia Credit Guarantee Scheme (ZCGS) from K150.0 million last year. He said of this amount, K186.0 million is for the establishment of a financing and credit window for small scale farmers, public service workers, and emergent farmers.
The Finance minister has also allocated K498.8 million towards the procurement of vaccines, animal health extension services, surveillance, animal identification and put into operation regional veterinary laboratories.
This is meant to help curb animal diseases that have dogged the livestock sector.
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