IMF Commends Government for FISP and Balance Sheet

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has commended the government for the reforms implemented in the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)

The IMF’s Resident Representative for Zambia, Eric Lautier, also praised the country’s progress in removing its primary balance sheet deficit.

Speaking to ZNBC on Sunday, Lautier said, “In the case of Zambia, the primary balance deficit through 2017 and 2021 was above 4%. Now it is a surplus of 0.6% GDP last year, and this year targeting 0.5%.”

“This is promising because it means Zambia is making strong progress in restructuring its balance sheet and pushing itself to repay the debts going forward,” the IMF Representative added. 

Speaking directly about FISP, Mr Lautier said this was one of the key reforms the IMF supported. FISP has now rolled out the venture to 73 districts and has been very successful. 

Lautier highlighted, in particular, the removal of those who shouldn’t be beneficiaries, what the IMF calls ‘ghost farmers’ from the Input Support Programme. This removal has allowed 200,000 new farmers to benefit from the programme, a development Lautier described as “commendable.”