By Maxwell Shumba | BalanceHub
Police in Mpongwe District on Zambia's Copperbelt Province have arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with an alleged fraud involving the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) after recovering 216 bags of fertiliser valued at K226,800.
The case has raised fresh concerns about the illegal diversion of government agricultural inputs, highlighting the challenges authorities continue to face in safeguarding one of Zambia's most important farming support programmes.
Suspect Arrested
The suspect has been identified as Chilando Kahokola, a merchandiser for Bayer SeedCo attached to Luanshya Agro in Mpongwe.
According to Copperbelt Division Police Commissioner Rae Hamoonga, the matter was reported to Mpongwe Police Station on August 28, 2026 after an agro-dealer supervisor noticed suspicious activity during the loading of fertiliser.
The supervisor reportedly observed a truck being loaded with 32 bags of fertiliser that had not been issued against any registered FISP electronic voucher (e-voucher).
Suspicious Receipts Raise Alarm
When questioned, the truck driver allegedly presented receipts which he claimed had been handed to him by workers loading the fertiliser.
The workers, in turn, reportedly informed the supervisor that the receipts had been presented by Mr. Kahokola.
During investigations, Mr. Kahokola allegedly told officers that he had received four redemption receipts from an unidentified female farmer.
However, police say he was unable to identify or locate the alleged farmer.
After verifying the documents, investigators concluded that the four receipts were forged, leading to his immediate arrest.
Police Recover More Fertiliser
Investigations did not end with the initial discovery.
Police later recovered an additional 184 bags of fertiliser hidden at different locations around Mpongwe Trading Area.
The total recovery included:
144 bags of Urea fertiliser
72 bags of D-Compound fertiliser
The recovered fertiliser has an estimated value of K226,800.
Police say the suspect remains in custody while investigations continue.
Understanding the FISP Programme
The Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is one of the Zambian Government's flagship agricultural initiatives.
The programme is designed to help small-scale farmers increase crop production by providing subsidised farming inputs such as:
Fertiliser
Certified seed
Other approved agricultural inputs
In recent years, Zambia has transitioned from paper coupons to an electronic voucher (e-voucher) system, allowing farmers greater flexibility in selecting inputs while improving transparency and reducing opportunities for fraud.
Despite these reforms, cases involving the diversion and illegal sale of FISP inputs continue to emerge in different parts of the country.
Why FISP Fraud Matters
Fraud involving FISP inputs has consequences that extend far beyond financial losses.
When fertiliser intended for vulnerable farmers is diverted:
Genuine farmers may fail to receive farming inputs on time.
Agricultural productivity may decline.
Government loses millions of kwacha through abuse of public resources.
Food security objectives become more difficult to achieve.
Public confidence in government support programmes is weakened.
Agriculture remains one of Zambia's most important economic sectors, employing a significant portion of the population and contributing to national food security.
Protecting agricultural support programmes is therefore critical to both rural livelihoods and the country's economic development.
Police Warn Against Abuse of Government Programmes
Commissioner Rae Hamoonga has warned members of the public against engaging in the fraudulent acquisition or diversion of FISP inputs.
He said such practices undermine government efforts aimed at supporting vulnerable farmers and strengthening agricultural production.
Police have also encouraged members of the public to report suspected cases involving the misuse of government farming inputs.
BalanceHub Analysis
The recovery of 216 bags of fertiliser demonstrates that oversight mechanisms within the FISP programme can help detect suspected fraud before larger losses occur.
However, the case also highlights the need for stronger monitoring throughout the agricultural supply chain. While the e-voucher system has improved accountability compared to previous paper-based systems, alleged attempts to forge redemption documents suggest that continuous vigilance remains necessary.
As Zambia continues investing in agriculture as a driver of economic growth, protecting government support programmes like FISP is essential. Ensuring that subsidised fertiliser reaches the intended beneficiaries not only supports vulnerable farmers but also contributes to higher agricultural productivity, improved food security and better value for public funds.
The case will now proceed through the legal process, where the prosecution will be required to present evidence in court. As with all criminal matters, the suspect is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of law
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