The National Association of Smallholder Farmers (NASFA) has urged government to provide a road map on implementation of the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme (CASP), in which 11.2 billion kwacha will be spent in the 2023 National Budget.
NASFA Executive Director, Dr. Frank Kayula says a guideline will enable various smallholder farmer unions to contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of the programme.
And, Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute, Board Chair, Dr. Mick Mwale says the think tank is impressed with the increased allocation in the agriculture sector from 4.7 percent in 2022 to 7.4 percent in 2023.
Meanwhile, Minister of Agriculture Mtolo Phiri says the Comprehensive Agriculture Support Programme will provide input to smallholder farmers while supporting food producers in fisheries and livestock.
The trio was speaking during the 2023 National Budget Analysis Meeting held by the Indaba Agriculture Policy Research Institute in Lusaka.
By Shem Malinda