A contribution of the maize production to the food security of Zambia

B.Sc. Lutangu Andrew Litia

Diplomová práce

Abstract:

This study was assessing the productivity and efficiency of maize farms, the causes of post-harvest losses, effects of policy and ultimately the contribution of maize to food security at household level in Zambia. Maize constitutes a crucial factor in food security determination.A total of 170 farming households were sampled through a 3-stage sampling procedure. SPPS was used to determine the relationships between inputs and production as well as the food security situation. Knowing how much is produced, how much is sold and how much is stored for home consumption is essential to determine food security. To determine the DRCi, complex calculations were carried out to establish the values for tradable and non-tradable inputs, both valued at a social price.The results revealed an 86 percent of farming households had maize deficits in the long run and stored maize for less than 6 months in a season. This implied that the food security situation is compromised. FISP is occupying a vital position in ensuring food security.62 percent of the farmers that benefited from the programme have relatively higher production than their counterparts.Avoidable PHLs are quite high, standing at 10-20 percent for most of the farmers. These losses are mainly due to lack of proper infrastructure in agriculture and rural development. The DRCi value of 1.3 indicates a non-competitive and an inefficient maize farming system currently. This is attributed mainly to the high costs of production.

Keywords

Post-harvest losses, Domestic resource cost ratio, Inputs, Competitive, Food security, Maize, Efficiency

Jazyk práce: angličtina

Datum vytvoření / odevzdání či podání práce: 27. 4. 2017

Obhajoba závěrečné práce

• Vedoucí: doc. Dr. RNDr. Tomáš Ratinger

Česká zemědělská univerzita v Praze

Fakulta tropického zemědělství

Magisterský studijní program / obor:
Tropické zemědělství / Sustainable Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics