The Centre for Environment Justice (CEJ) has commended the Government for continued FISP support.
In a statement, the organisation has however urged Climate-Smart Agriculture and crop diversification.
CEJ Climate-Smart Agriculture Researcher Memory Mwamba Mfungo explained that agriculture remains one of Zambia’s most important economic sectors, playing a central role in job creation, rural livelihoods, and national development.
Mfungo highlighted that the sector supports millions of people directly and indirectly, especially smallholder farmers, while also making a significant contribution to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
She stressed that its performance is therefore critical not only to food security, but also to household incomes, employment, and overall economic stability.
Mfungo noted that against this background, CEJ commends the Government of the Republic of Zambia for its continued commitment to supporting smallholder farmers through the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
She pointed out that as one of the country’s most important agricultural support initiatives, FISP has played a vital role in improving farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, increasing productivity, and strengthening national food security.
Mfungo observed that Government’s ongoing efforts to reform and improve the efficiency and delivery of the programme are particularly commendable.
She emphasised that ensuring inputs reach farmers on time remains essential for supporting rural livelihoods and sustaining agricultural production.
Mfungo cautioned that as Zambia continues to experience the growing impacts of climate change, it is important that agricultural support programmes such as FISP evolve to respond to these emerging challenges.
She explained that in recent years, farmers across the country have faced erratic rainfall patterns, prolonged dry spells, and extreme weather events that have significantly affected crop yields.
Mfungo underlined that this makes resilience within the sector a national priority.
She further emphasised the need to strengthen the integration of Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) within FISP to enhance productivity, build resilience to climate shocks, and protect natural resources.
Mfungo recommended promoting practices such as sustainable agriculture, agroforestry, improved soil fertility management, water harvesting, and drought-tolerant seed varieties to help farmers maintain production under increasingly unpredictable conditions.
She added that there is a need to promote crop diversification, as Zambia’s heavy reliance on maize increases vulnerability to climate and market risks.
Mfungo explained that supporting farmers to grow crops such as sorghum, millet, cassava, groundnuts, and other legumes can improve food and nutrition security, enhance soil health, and strengthen overall farm resilience.
She reaffirmed that FISP remains a critical programme for Zambia’s farmers.
Mfungo stressed that as climate risks intensify, it is important that farmer support programmes promote diversified cropping systems.
She remarked that supporting farmers to grow a wider range of crops will strengthen resilience, improve nutrition, and safeguard Zambia’s food security.
Mfungo encouraged continued collaboration between government, research institutions, civil society, and farmers to further strengthen FISP so that it responds to climate realities while supporting a more diversified and resilient agricultural sector.
