In the farming districts north of Lusaka, change is taking root. Along the Great North Road in Kapiri Mposhi and as far as Mufulira District, smallholder farmers are reporting higher yields, improved soil management and better incomes — driven by a redesigned subsidy system that puts choice directly in their hands.

The Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) has shifted from a centralized distribution model to a digital e-voucher platform, enabling farmers to select seeds, fertilizers and other inputs from private agro-dealers using mobile money and simple electronic codes. The reform marks a significant departure from Zambia’s previous one-size-fits-all subsidy approach.

For more than a decade, Zambia distributed fixed fertilizer and seed packs through central depots. While intended to support production, the system often left farmers with little flexibility and reinforced maize monocropping, contributing over time to soil degradation and declining productivity. The strain became evident during the 2023–2024 agricultural season, when Zambia faced its worst drought in decades and many smallholders lacked diversified crops or climate-resilient inputs to withstand the shock.

The revamped e-voucher system was first launched in 17 districts during the 2023–2024 season, reaching 220,000 farmers. By the 2024–2025 season, it had expanded to 74 districts and approximately 740,000 farmers. Full nationwide coverage is expected in the 2025–2026 season, targeting more than one million farmers.

Under the new model, farmers deposit a small contribution at a bank, receive confirmation via text message from the Ministry of Agriculture, and are issued a voucher code. They can then redeem inputs from more than 650 registered agro-dealers, who are reimbursed by the government once products are supplied. The digital platform has simplified transactions and increased transparency, with most farmers reporting that mobile money and smartphone applications are easy to use.

Independent survey findings from Kivu International indicate that most farmers using the e-voucher system have recorded higher yields. More than half of participating farmers redeemed their inputs by the end of October 2024, and 97 percent had done so by the end of December. About 97 percent reported satisfactory input quality, while 76 percent cited access to a more diverse range of products. Ninety percent described the deposit process as straightforward, and 86 percent said registration and communication were clear.

Farmers say the impact has been tangible. In Mufulira District, Sunday Muzeya harvested 230 bags of maize during the 2024/25 season after gaining improved access to inputs. Zacchaeus Saleh Mwale, who previously harvested fewer than 30 bags during the drought-affected 2023–2024 season, reports yields nearing 100 bags following the shift to the new system and improved weather conditions. Many households have also diversified beyond maize into vegetables and other crops to strengthen income and nutrition.

The reforms are also reshaping rural input markets. By shifting purchasing power directly to farmers, the government has stimulated competition among agro-dealers and expanded demand for diversified seeds, fertilizers and farming services. Following the 2024–2025 rollout, 86 percent of surveyed agro-dealers reported hiring additional staff to meet rising demand, with around 40 percent of those hires retained — a boost for rural employment and local enterprise.

The reform aligns with broader agricultural transformation efforts supported by the World Bank Group. According to Sergiy Zorya, Lead Agricultural Economist for Farming and Agribusiness at the institution, repurposing input subsidies through market-oriented systems can create jobs, diversify crops and improve soil health while delivering better value for public spending.

Globally, the World Bank is assisting more than 40 countries in reviewing agricultural expenditures and has helped shape approximately $13 billion in spending to improve outcomes for farmers and ecosystems. Through the Multi-Donor Trust Fund Food Systems 2030, over $100 million in grants has been allocated to pilot innovative approaches to fertilizer subsidy reform across seven countries. Zambia’s e-voucher experience is now informing a new Knowledge Academy initiative designed to help additional African nations modernize their subsidy systems.

As climate pressures intensify and food security remains a priority, Zambia’s shift toward digital, farmer-centered subsidies illustrates how targeted reforms can simultaneously improve productivity, protect soils and stimulate private-sector growth. For many farmers along the Great North Road and beyond, the change represents more than a policy adjustment — it is a practical pathway toward resilience and prosperity.