The Determinants and Extent of Crop Diversification Among Smallholder Farmers: A Case Study of Southern Province Zambia

Abstract

Agriculture is vital to Zambia’s economic development an d is a mainstay for the livelihoods of a large proportion of the population. Agricultural production is mainly dependent on rain-fed hoe cultivation with maize as the principal staple food crop. About 18 percent of national maize production comes from Zambia’s Southern province. In order to improve food security and minimi ze risks associated with h eavy dependence on maize, the government of Zambia has been promoting crop diversification. This study analyzed the determinants of crop diversification as well as the factors influencing the ex tent of crop diversification by smallholder farmers in Southern province. The study used secondary data from th e Central Statistical Office of Zambia. Results from a double-hurdle model analysis indicates that landholding si ze, fertilizer quantity, distance to market, and the type of tillage mechanism adopted have a strong influence on whether a farmer practices crop diversification. Our findings have important implications for policies that are designed to enhance crop diversification. In particular, our results suggest the need for govern ment to consider undertaking policies that will enhance farmers’ access to and control over land, that will provide farmers with improved access to ag ricultural implemen ts like ploughs, and that will bring trading markets closer to farmers.