Zanaco Bank Plc has issued over 77,000 debit cards under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to farmers to enable them access farming inputs on time and efficiently, company head of corporate affairs Joy Sata has said.
Ms. Sata said the bank is working with Government and the private sector as they are key strategic partners in its operation.
“As a bank, we have partnered with Government under the FISP through the issuance of over 77,000 debit cards last year for them to have access to the 2015/2016 farming inputs,” she said.
Ms Sata was speaking in an interview at the just ended 52nd Zambia International Trade Fair in Ndola.
She further said the bank has tailored products to meet requirements of various ministries through the provision of online banking and online processing of the government payroll.
The bank further offers teller implants to expedite the revenue collection effort by Government.
Through the bank’s various initiatives to Government and the public sector, Ms Sata said the bank has given support to Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia to turn around its operations, with a loan of K54 million two years ago, funding to Mongu-Kalabo road of K200 million counterpart funding, and maize financing to the Food Reserve Agency of up to K400 million in the last marketing season.
Other support has gone to health post construction by Ministry of Health, retirees financing for University of Zambia and robust personal loans to the civil service loan scheme, among others, and National Airports Corporation for the rehabilitation of Livingstone Airport .
The bank has also disbursed over K60 million to smallholder and emergent farmers under the tractor financing product.