vue - FAO driving innovation in agriculture assistance - E-voucher for inputs in Zimbabwe

Since 2002, the humanitarian community in Zimbabwe has supported smallholder farmers through free direct input distributions. However, thanks to positive macro-economic and food security conditions, the country is beginning to move to more innovative, market-based approaches. The use of electronic vouchers to buy agricultural inputs -- a programme supported by FAO Zimbabwe -- is one such approach. These vouchers enable farmers who contribute at least 10 percent of the value of the voucher to buy seeds; fertilizers and lime; agrochemicals; and tools or spare parts for farming equipment from local agrodealers. The goal is not only to help farmers boost their production and productivity, but also to stimulate growth and development in the rural economy. © FAO www.fao.org