Farmers at centre of Mbilizi’s fertilizer push

The Ministry of Agriculture says its approach to fertilizer procurement is aimed at ensuring smallholder farmers receive affordable inputs on time while improving efficiency in the supply process.

The clarification follows social media allegations that Agriculture Minister Roza Mbilizi was pushing a controversial fertilizer deal involving United Capital Fertilizer (UCF) of Zambia.

However, the ministry says the minister’s direct involvement is part of efforts to address long-standing procurement challenges, including high costs, delivery delays and supply shortages.

The ministry says engaging directly with fertilizer manufacturers allows government to negotiate better prices, eliminate unnecessary costs linked to multiple intermediaries and ensure procurement decisions are guided by the country’s agricultural needs.

Officials say direct engagement with producers also gives government better control over delivery timelines, allowing fertilizer to reach distribution centres before the start of the rainy season.

According to the ministry, the approach will help reduce exposure to international price fluctuations by allowing government to negotiate bulk purchases directly with manufacturers.

The ministry says the process does not mean bypassing procurement laws, but rather finding a more efficient way of securing fertilizer while remaining within the legal framework.

It says the process involves several stages, including identifying manufacturers, conducting negotiations, assessing supplier capacity, seeking legal guidance, obtaining approval from relevant authorities and ensuring compliance with procurement regulations.

Officials say any final agreement must still go through the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) and other required oversight mechanisms before implementation.

The ministry argues that previous fertilizer procurement arrangements have often faced challenges due to delays, logistical bottlenecks and increased costs caused by multiple layers within the supply chain.

Through the direct factory procurement model, fertilizer would move from manufacturers to designated distribution points, reducing unnecessary delays and ensuring farmers receive inputs within the required period.

The ministry has maintained that the focus of the initiative is not on benefiting individuals, but on improving fertilizer delivery and protecting smallholder farmers who depend on government-supported input programmes.