Assessing the Effectiveness of the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) on Household Food Security: A Case Study of Mpunde Ward, Kapiri Mposhi District, Central Province

This study examines the effectiveness and efficiency of the farmer input support program on household food security with an emphasis on the need to diversify inputs given in line with meeting the dietary needs of smallholder farmers. Using a case study design paired with purposive sampling technique, the research finds that the farmer input support program is accessible to most of the farmers in the area with many of them facing little to no problems in accessing the inputs. The findings also showed that all the farmers experienced increased maize yields due to sufficient fertilizer use. The sustainability of the farmer input support program is one that raises a lot of debate, this is especially true because the program does not run on profit basis and has very low graduation levels from the beneficiaries of the program. The research also showed that all the farmers interviewed felt they have not developed the capacity to be self-sufficient despite majority of them being on the program for many years. The overreliance of the program to meet farming needs of the people without willingness to graduate has reduced the effectiveness of the program over the years making the program centered around the same people over the years. While the farmer input support program improves the level of food availability and accessibility in most smallholder farming households, the program does not address dietary diversity if the ultimate goal of food security is to be achieved. This study recommends the government should introduce and enforce a graduation criterion to create space force for new, vulnerable farmers, agricultural diversification to broaden people’s menu and increase incomes and implement mechanisms for transparent feedback and reporting should be implemented to help identify any inefficiencies the program might have as well as strengthen management of the program.