The overall objective of the 2012/13 Input Support Programme is to improve household food and nutrition security for smallholder farmers. More specifically, the objectives of the programme are to: Improve agricultural production and productivity; Increase agricultural-based incomes and support to markets; and reduce dependency on continuous input support.
Among other things, the national input guidelines recommend beneficiaries can choose the most appropriate inputs and livestock, that wherever possible, assistance will be delivered through agro-dealers and that the distribution mechanism will include an open voucher system.
Partners are appealing to donors to avail funds by July or early August 2012 for maximum benefit of the inputs by farmers. Ideally, farmers should be able to make use of their cropping inputs before the onset of the first effective rains in November 2012, while vouchers should be ready for redemption by September 2012. The redemption period for crops should run until January 2013. – OCHA