PROFITABILITY OF FERTILIZER USE ON MAIZE BY SMALL-SCALE FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN ZAMBIA

Multi-year nationwide survey data is used to estimate maize yield response functions and determine profitability of fertilizer use by small-scale farmers in Zambia. Most previous research on economics of fertilization used estimates of yield response to nutrients based on experimental or simulation data and seldom investigated region-specific and management-specific effects. In this paper we address the main issues arising from using large survey data and estimate maize yield response functions for different groups of households that have various management practices and soil conditions in two major agro-climatic zones. Profitability of fertilizer use is determined for each group in each zone and the results provide the following messages. First, households that obtained fertilizer on time and used animal draught power or mechanical power for land preparation are more likely to find fertilizer use profitable than other groups of households located in the same district. Second, farmers' proximity to the provincial centers has a significant impact on the profitability of fertilizer use. Greater distances and transport costs from provincial centers erode the profitability of fertilizer use. Third, high time preferences for money also reduce the profitability of fertilizer use. Thus, despite achieving relatively high physical crop response rates to fertilizer use in some areas, small farmers may find fertilizer use unprofitable until efforts are made to reduce transportation costs and implicit interest rates as well as to ensure more timely delivery of fertilizer.Farm Management,

Maize Yield Response to Fertilizer and Profitability of Fertilizer Use Among Small-Scale Maize Producers in Zambia

Multi-year nationwide survey data is used to estimate maize yield response functions and determine profitability of fertilizer use by small-scale farmers in Zambia. There has been a dearth of empirical studies on economics of fertilization in the context of Sub-Saharan Africa. In this paper we identify major methodological issues arising from using survey data and estimate maize yield response functions for small-scale rural households that have various management practices and soil conditions in two major agro-climatic zones. Profitability of fertilizer use is determined for each group of households. Our findings provide the following key messages. First, households that obtained fertilizer on time and used animal draught power or mechanical power for land preparation are more likely to find fertilizer use profitable than other households with similar agro-ecological and market access conditions. Second, farmers' proximity to the provincial centers has a significant impact on the profitability of fertilizer use. Greater distances and transport costs from provincial centers erode the profitability of fertilizer use. Third, high interest rates also reduce the profitability of fertilizer use. Small farmers may find fertilizer use unprofitable until efforts are made to reduce transportation costs and interest rates as well as to ensure more timely delivery of fertilizer.Maize, Yield, Fertilizer, Profitability, Survey data, Crop Production/Industries,

Promoting Fertilizer Use in Africa: Current Issues and Empirical Evidence from Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya

This study was funded jointly by the Regional Strategic Agricultural Knowledge Support System (Re-SAKSS) for Southern Africa, based at International Water Management Institute, Pretoria, South Africa, and by the United States Agency for International Development's Africa Bureau. Much of the data and analysis reported in this study was carried out under the Tegemeo Agricultural Monitoring and Policy Analysis Project, funded by USAID/Kenya; the Food Security Research Project/Markets, Trade and Enabling Environment (MATEP) Program, funded by USAID/Zambia and the Swedish International Development Agency; and by the DFID and USAID offices in Lilongwe, Malawi.fertilizer, Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, Q18,

Household food insecurity in low rainfall areas of Zimbabwe: initial findings in Mudzi, Mutoko and Buhera Communal Areas

A conference paper on how the effects of drought have caused food shortages and reduced incomes for rural based households in Zimbabwe.Since 1980, drought has caused widespread crop failures in Zimbabwe. The majority of rural based households have experienced reduced incomes and food shortages, requiring them to rely on food transfers from the government. Approximately 350,000 households have received government support through commodity food aid or food-for-work programmes. Since 1981-82, the government has spent an estimated Z$800 million on these programmes, excluding costs borne by non-governmental organisations (Mhiribidi, 1987). In addition, households themselves have been forced to divert remittances from production investment to consumption, dispose of production assets, and migrate in search of alternative income sources,The research supporting the preparation the proceedings papers was financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development, Bureau of Science and Technology; Bureau for Africa; and the Southern Africa Regional Programme

Promoting Fertilizer Use in Africa: Current Issues and Empirical Evidence from Malawi, Zambia, and Kenya

It is generally agreed that increasing agricultural productivity is critical to stimulating the rate of economic growth in Africa. There are many important and often complementary determinants of agricultural productivity. In this brief and the full paper it draws from, the focus is on fertilizer and improved seed, without intending to imply that they are the only or most significant productivity determinants.fertilizer, Africa, Malawi, Zambia, Kenya, Crop Production/Industries, Food Security and Poverty, Q18,

Methodological guidelines for tracking public spending on agriculture with illustrations from Zambia

Public spending on agriculture needs to be traced to learn how much is being spent, where it is being spent, what it is being spent on and for whom, and how it has changed over time. Spending on agriculture includes all spending on activities whose primary purpose is to restore, improve and maintain agriculture for the nation and for individuals in a given time period regardless of the institution or entity providing for the activity. This guide provides a framework for tracking public spending on agriculture. Measuring public spending on agriculture will make it possible to debate the size and quality of allocation and subsequently improve public resource use efficiency. Achieving agricultural development targets requires good public resource management which can only be done with good reliable spending accounts.Non-PRIFPRI1; ReSAKSSDSG

Prospects for increasing household food security and income through increased crop productivity and diversification in low rainfall areas of Zimbabwe

A survey of household food security in low rainfall areas of Zimbabwe.The data for this paper were obtained from surveys undertaken in Mutoko/Mudzi and Buhcra communal areas in 1987-88 and 1988-89 as part of the research on household food security in low rainfall areas of Zimbabwe. Current levels of crop production arc compared with the potential for Natural Regions III, IV and V. Production levels are based on current technologies that arc recommended by the extension and the research systems. The adoption of these technologies is assessed to identify constraints and potential for increased adoption. The performance of farmers is analysed to identify agronomic and socio-economic practices of farmers achieving higher output levels. The objective is to assess whether there is scope for other farmers to achieve such performance so as to increase household output and income. The profitability of current technologies is measured and a comparative economic analysis of alternative crops is undertaken to determine whether there is scope for farmers to improve household income by increasing production of more profitable crops.USAID (Southern Africa Programme