By adapting the cash-for-work program to benefit rural farmers, and improving the efficiency of NHIMA and FISP through targeted reforms, Zambia can create a more resilient and sustainable food system.
By Hon. Ponde C. Mecha.
Lusaka, Oct. 30 – In Zambia’s quest for sustainable food security, two key innovations – NHIMA (National Health Insurance Management Authority) and FISP (Farmer Input Support Programme) – hold the potential to revolutionize rural livelihoods. However, inefficiencies in rural delivery threaten to undermine their impact. To reinforce these programs, it is essential to adapt existing government interventions, like the cash-for-work hunger initiative, to better serve rural farmers and enhance food security.
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A healthy rural population is crucial for the country’s agricultural productivity, as the majority of rural dwellers rely on farming for their livelihoods. An effective support system, particularly during critical farming seasons, ensures that Zambia’s food supply remains stable. However, NHIMA and FISP, along with current hunger interventions, face significant hurdles in reaching Zambia’s most remote and vulnerable areas.
◾Challenges in Delivering NHIMA in Rural Areas: Despite its promise, NHIMA struggles to provide adequate health coverage to Zambia’s rural communities. The lack of healthcare infrastructure – health posts, clinics, and hospitals – limits access to essential services. Additionally, where facilities exist, they often fail to meet NHIMA’s accreditation standards due to poor infrastructure and a shortage of skilled healthcare workers.
Recently, the Minister of Health raised concerns about health workers seeking transfers from rural areas to urban centers. Without incentives or improved working conditions to retain these workers, NHIMA’s ability to function effectively in rural communities is severely compromised. Furthermore, NHIMA’s reliance on digital systems is hampered by poor connectivity in remote areas, and rural populations often lack awareness of its benefits.
◾FISP: A Lifeline for Farmers, But Not Without Problems: FISP,, designed to support small-scale farmers with agricultural inputs, faces similar delivery challenges. Delayed input distribution, weak agro-dealer networks, and inefficient targeting processes leave many farmers without critical support during planting season. The e-voucher system, central to FISP’s expansion, depends on robust private-sector agro-dealer networks, which remain underdeveloped in many rural areas.
◾Adapting Cash-for-Work to Support Farmers: As the government tackles hunger through cash-for-work programs, it must reconsider the approach to ensure it supports rural farmers without draining their energy or diverting their focus from critical farming activities. The upcoming rainy season looks promising, and the government must help farmers adequately prepare their land to seize the opportunity for a successful growing season.
To achieve this, the cash-for-work program should be adapted to be more user-friendly for active farmers, providing alternatives that allow them to focus on their farms. For example, rather than requiring physical labour during crucial farming periods, the program could offer direct support for land preparation or provide conditional cash transfers that enable farmers to invest in labor-saving technologies. This would ensure that the hunger intervention does not hinder farmers from preparing for a productive season.
◾Path Forward: Solutions for Delivering Sustainable Food Security: To ensure that NHIMA, FISP, and cash-for-work programs deliver on their promise of food security, a number of solutions must be implemented.
▪️ For NHIMA, expanding healthcare infrastructure in rural areas is essential. More health posts, clinics, and mobile units should be built, while ongoing training and deployment of healthcare workers to rural regions will help address the shortage of skilled staff. Targeted awareness campaigns can improve the uptake of NHIMA services among rural populations, while investing in telemedicine and mobile health services will bring healthcare closer to those living in remote areas.
Incentives such as rural hardship allowances, housing, and professional development opportunities for health workers must be introduced to curb transfers out of rural areas. A career growth framework that rewards those serving in remote regions could help retain skilled workers.
▪️ For FISP, the government must focus on strengthening agro-dealer networks by creating an enabling environment for the private sector. Financial support, credit access, and infrastructure development are key to building a reliable rural supply chain for agricultural inputs. At the same time, training programs should equip agro-dealers with the skills necessary to serve small-scale farmers effectively.
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◾Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms: Both NHIMA and FISP must implement strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) mechanisms to ensure efficient delivery. Data-driven monitoring, regular performance audits, beneficiary feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement platforms are essential to track progress and identify areas for improvement. Capacity building in M&E for program staff and local government officials will further strengthen the ability to use data for decision-making.
Additionally, the cash-for-work program must be continuously evaluated to ensure it supports, rather than burdens, farmers during critical agricultural periods. Adaptations that reduce physical strain on farmers and encourage farm productivity are essential for the long-term success of this intervention.
◾Immediate Government Action: Focusing on FISP Efficiency and Cash-for-Work Integration: To enhance FISP’s efficiency, the government should prioritize tracking budget releases for agricultural extension services. Extension officers play a vital role in promoting climate-smart agriculture, essential for securing food security in the face of climate change. Monitoring these services ensures that farmers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to use inputs effectively, improving yields and resilience.
The government should also track the expansion of private-sector agro-dealer networks, ensuring that inputs are accessible to rural farmers in a timely manner. Parallel to this, reforms to the cash-for-work program should prioritize farmer-friendly solutions, ensuring that hunger interventions complement, rather than hinder, agricultural productivity.
◾ Conclusion: By adapting the cash-for-work program to benefit rural farmers, and improving the efficiency of NHIMA and FISP through targeted reforms, Zambia can create a more resilient and sustainable food system. With the rainy season approaching, timely interventions will be crucial to ensure farmers are well-prepared to cultivate their land, securing food security and rural development for the country’s future.
About The Author: Hon. Ponde Chunga Mecha is the immediate past MP for Chifunabuli Constituency. He has worked and executed various development programmes in the agriculture sector under various funding sources including GRZ, World Bank, NORAD, FINNIDA, FAO, Melinda and Bill Gates Foundation, USAID and the EU.
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