Agro-Dealers Paid as Govt Enforces Full E-Voucher System

Agriculture Minister says Government has paid all agro-dealers across the country for the fertilizer, seed and other inputs supplied under the 2024/2025 farming season.

Speaking during a meeting with Agro dealers in Lusaka on Friday, Reuben Mtolo assured the stakeholders of the Government’s commitment to timely payments.

He said henceforth, disbursements would be made every two weeks to support agro-dealer operations.

“I am happy to announce that all agro-dealers have been paid. We will no longer allow delays that spill into the next financial year. Submit your claims every two weeks and you will be paid every two weeks,” he assured.

And Mr. Mtolo urged the agro-dealers to uphold the highest levels of professionalism, transparency, and integrity as Government rolls out the 2025/2026 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) under a fully operational 100 percent e-voucher system.

He emphasized that Government expects professionalism in every step of the process, warning that any malpractice such as discounting vouchers or fraudulent dealings will lead to the immediate termination of business relations.

Mr. Mtolo said the transition to a private-sector-driven system creates unprecedented opportunities for growth in the agricultural sector, but also demands strict discipline to guard against malpractice.

“This particular endeavour is exceptionally good for you as businesspersons, but it also creates anxieties for us as government. We expect professionalism in every step of the process,” Mr. Mtolo stated.

He added that the Government also expects agro-dealers to clearly indicate their operational coverage in all provinces, districts, and constituencies to ensure equitable access to inputs nationwide.

“Pricing, product quality, and service delivery will be key competitive factors under the e-voucher system, with farmers making choices based on affordability, reliability, and trust in suppliers,” he noted.

He further encouraged large suppliers to formalize their relationships with smaller agro-dealers through contracts to prevent financial disputes, adding that the Ministry was ready to facilitate escrow and stop-order systems to safeguard business partnerships.

Mr. Mtolo cautioned, however, that Government would not hesitate to revert to bulk procurement of inputs if the private sector fails to deliver as expected.

“Please, colleagues, do not force Government to go back to bulk purchases. This is your chance to prove that the private sector can supply agricultural inputs just as it has done with sugar, salt, and milk,” Mr. Mtolo warned.

The Minister encouraged agro-dealers to diversify their offerings beyond seed and fertilizer to include irrigation equipment, aquaculture requisites, and livestock products, in line with Zambia’s broader agricultural transformation agenda of achieving food security and diversification.

“The President has made it clear that we must move away from seasonal planting and embrace irrigation so that farmers can plant year-round. Agro-dealers should position themselves to support this transformation,”he added.

Mr. Mtolo reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with all stakeholders in ensuring that the 2025/2026 farming season contributes significantly to national food security and economic growth.

This is according to a statement issued by the Ministry’s Principal Public Relations Officer, Balewa Zyuulu.