A Synopsis of Constraints to Crop Productivity among Smallholder Farmers in Choma District, Zambia

Despite having adequate land for crop cultivation and increased government spending on agriculture inputs support program crop productivity remains constant and at times in decline. This study aimed to explore the constraints to crop productivity in Nakeempa Village of Choma district in the Southern province of Zambia. Nakeempa village was chosen as a study area because it is in the southern part of the country where most of Zambia’s maize is produced more so most government agriculture support programs are piloted in this district. A qualitative method approach was used to gather data from the study site; purposive sampling was used to select smallholder farmers and key informants. This research noted that the average yields per hectare for maize, groundnuts, cowpeas and beans in the village in the year 2013 were very low; only 0.91 tons/ha, 0.40 tons/ha, 0.22 tons/ha, 0.34 tons/ha respectively. The main constraints to crop productivity are low use of chemical fertiliser, late delivery of subsidized inputs by the government, lack of modern implements for cultivation, lack of access to finance, a dysfunctional extension system, emergence of institutional silos among government departments, distorted product and input market, uncooperative cooperatives, proliferation of fake seeds and lack of rural infrastructure among others. Lastly, the study recommends a rebuilding of the extension service system, pragmatic shift from maize centric policies and deeper community participation in rural development program design and implementation. Keywords: agriculture; crop productivity; constraints; smallholder; Zambi

TOWARDS AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHINESE AGRICULTURE TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION CENTRE(S) IN AFRICA

This review article focuses on the Chinese built Agriculture Technology Demonstration Centers (ATDCs) in Africa as a model for delivering agriculture aid. The article attempts to answer several questions key among them are; How has the model fared in different contexts? What questions or themes did existing studies miss or partially cover and how can such questions be framed for us to; have a better understanding of the ATDC; or instead develop a framework for studying the ATDC model. The study makes use of a systematic scoping review as the guiding research methodology. The ATDC managed to diffuse agriculture technology to farmers in Africa, increased their incomes, diversified their livelihoods and more importantly provided an alternative model for the delivery of agriculture aid in a context where traditional aid delivery faces sustainability challenges. Conversely, the model faced hurdles such as ensuring the balancing act between aid and commerce which are in essence two polemical activities, limited cooperation from some related bodies in host countries and lack of exposure to the African terrain also resulted in the implementation of inappropriate technologies. In terms of existing studies, the gender question is rarely addressed; similarly, in terms of technology adoption, there has been a binary description of adoption-non-adoption, this bifurcation does not correctly capture ground level realities. Furthermore, existing studies are institutionalistic mainly in nature with much emphasis on how the ATDC is run and not how it impacts on communities that are the supposed beneficiaries. Overall, there is an urgent call to work towards a framework for understanding ATDCs.  Article visualizations

Towards an Understanding of the Implementation of the Farmer Input Support Programme Electronic Voucher in Choma District, Zambia

The realization that agriculture input subsidies at times do not reach targeted communities has pushed many governments to consider ways of cutting subsidy costs, improve targeting of poorer households and eventual withdrawal from subsidizing agriculture. Against this background in the year 2015 Zambia adopted an e-voucher system as way to bolster FISP. This study focused on the implementation of the pilot e-voucher in Choma District in the Southern Province of Zambia. A qualitative approach was used to gather data from farmers, banks, farmer representative organizations and other key stakeholders. This study focused on key aspects of e-voucher implementation, such as beneficiary targeting, stakeholders’ roles, input distribution and redeeming processes. The study noted that e-voucher system ushered in some benefits such as increased transparency, reduction of ghost farmers, rural employment creation, increased input accessibility for farmers and lowered the government’s administrative costs on inputs delivery. On the other hand, the implementation of the e-voucher faced some challenges such as bank system breakdown, abuse of the facility as farmers purchased food items and other non-agricultural inputs such as iron sheets that are not covered by the subsidy and delays in e-voucher activation by the contracted banks. Going forward this study recommends more policing of agro dealers and early disbursement of funds by the government. Keywords: e-voucher; implementation; input subsidy; smallholder farmers; FISP; Zambi

Comparative Study of Livelihoods and Food Security Status of Sugarcane Out growers and Non-Cane Growers, Magobbo Scheme, Zambia

In recent times there is a surge in the number of large-scale agricultural based investments. The most common form of large-scale land based investment in Zambia is the out grower scheme. This study is a comparative study of the livelihoods pathways and food security status of out growers in the Magobbo Out grower scheme, Zambia and non cane out growers surrounding the out grower scheme. The livelihoods of the cane growers are slightly better than that of the non-cane growers. The cane out- growers have access to better water facilities; electricity and more income earnings though they have more debts compared to the non-cane growers. On the other hand the non-cane growers were in a survivalist livelihood mode, they were struggling to make ends meet and they straddled subsistence farming and wild fruit selling. In terms of food security at 6.00 Household Dietary Diversity (HDD) index, the food security of cane growers’ was higher standing at 74.3 percent than non-cane growers at 46.9 percent. The study draws from a mixed method approach. The qualitative method was used to explore the livelihoods of the two groups. Quantitative techniques such as t test were done to assess the food security and insecurity of the two groups. A total of 151 households (HH) (70 cane-growers and 81 HH of non-cane growers) participated in this study. Keywords: Sugar cane Outgrower; Non- cane Outgrower; livelihoods; food security; Zambia

Impacts of Artisanal Small-Scale Mining in Rural Households: A Case of Mzimba District, Malawi

Most rural development related policies and programs in Malawi take up a farm first approach where most objectives of these programs are aimed at strengthening and/or improving rural peoples’ assets towards agricultural production. As Malawi is pursuing its interest in promoting its mining sector, especially the Artisanal and small-scale sub sector, gaps exist in literature on the impact of such artisanal and small-scale activities “have had” and/or “will most likely have” on the livelihoods of farmers now turned miners. The study aimed at finding out the impacts of Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM) on livelihoods in northern Malawi- Mzimba district. It also examines the Malawian mining policies and their implications on ASM. Methodologically and analytically, this study embodies the livelihoods approach. Results show that ASM is a viable livelihood strategy as long as it is synthesized with small scale subsistence farming. Mining in the district is mostly a seasonal activity that alternates with farming between the rainy and dry seasons. Environmental degradation, lack of infrastructure and markets impedes ASM related livelihood activities. The draft Malawi ASM Policy plans to formalize the sector. This study recommends that before any move into the formalization process is done, Malawi has to do more studies of the same as formalization is known to bar local people from access to mining activities thereby threatening their livelihoods. Keywords: Artisanal Small-scale Mining, Rural Livelihoods, Malaw

Beyond the Provision of Education: How do Local Host Communities Benefit from Universities? The Case of Malawi University of Science and Technology in Thyolo, Malawi

University education contribution has for long period of time been viewed mainly through the lenses of its contribution to national development and not particularly on how much they contribute to the host communities’ development. This study was conducted to fill this existing gap in literature by assessing the social impacts of university projects on host communities using the case of Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) on livelihoods. The study used narrative qualitative method. The University project increased income opportunities through; employment and business especially for the rural youth thereby altering their social status, improved community interaction mainly through sports, religious activities and music, changes in property rights (housing; land and improvement of municipal and social service infrastructure).  On the other side of the coin, there has been a major threat on youth behaviour which was in conflict with local culture; and increased land dispossession from the local host community members thereby threatening the livelihoods of some in the long run as land is the life blood for the poor.  The study recommends that local people need to increase their knowledge and capacity to cease opportunities brought by these infrastructural projects in order to enhance their livelihoods. Keywords: Universities, Local Host Community, Rural Development, Malaw