The Farmers Input Support Programme (FISP) is currently undergoing comprehensive review to make it more responsive to the needs of the benefiting farmers, says Agriculture Minister Mtolo Phiri.
Speaking in Parliament during questions for oral answers under standing order 74, Mr Phiri also said the number of beneficiaries under FISP will be increased.
He was responding to a question by Chama South member of Parliament, Steven Mungandu, who wanted to know whether there are any plans to increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme.
He said the new system will also ensure that those that have been on the program for more than three years are graduated from the programme to pave way for others.
Mr Phiri explained that initially FISP was designed in a way that after three years, a farmer is graduated from the programme.
He said as the farmers receive their inputs for the next farming season, they will be catered under the new arrangement that will be informed by the review.
Mr Phiri said currently government is serving one million small scale farmers under FISP but that after the review, the number is going to increase countrywide.
Mr Phiri said once the review is completed, the nation will be informed of the new direction through a ministerial statement in Parliament.
He explained that currently a team of technocrats is meeting to come up with recommendations on how the FISP programme can be improved.
