Short-term impacts of Zambia’s electronic Farmer Input Support Programme (e-FISP) on maize yield

Zambia has been implementing agricultural input subsidy programmes to stimulate crop production and productivity among smallholder farmers with the goal of increasing national food security. This study assesses the impact of the electronic Farmer Input Support Program (e-FISP) on crop productivity among smallholder farmers. Data analysis was done using propensity score matching and difference-in-difference empirical models. The study findings show that, compared to nonrecipients, e-FISP had a 315 kg/ha negative effect on beneficiaries’ maize yield over the course of the two years under review. After two years, the beneficiaries’ estimated maize yield fell to 1 712 kg/ha from 2 177 kg/ha at the baseline. Given the challenges encountered in implementing e-FISP, this outcome is not surprising. Furthermore, in comparison to non-participants, e-FISP had a negative impact on programme participants’ use of fertiliser, at least in the short run. This outcome can be the result of implementation issues during the pilot phase. Given these challenges, it is critical to interpret these findings cautiously.