Adoption of hybrid maize in Zambia: effects on gender roles, food consumption, and nutrition

Abstract

Improving agricultural productivity of farmers in Zambia, is important for the success of the country's new economic growth strategy. Past investment in hybrid maize research has developed a potential for increased productivity. This report examines farm household-level factors that influence the adoption of hybrid maize in Eastern Province and the implications of adoption for improvement in household income, food consumption, and nutrition and health of the rural population. The characteristics of adoption, such as who adopts and what other changes are associated with it, in particular its implications for household labour allocation and intra-household access to resources, are expected to influence food consumption and the nutrition status of the population.