An assessment of the performance and the effectiveness of the food security pack project in Mansa district

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Date
2008
Authors
Mutondo, Paul
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Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The Report presents the results of an assessment of the performance and effectiveness of the Food Security Pack Project in Mansa District. The assessment was done towards the end of phase one of the Food Security Pack Project (FSP). The Project is an on going activity. The overall objective of the study was to assess the performance and the impact of the FSP on the food security and welfare of the beneficiaries at the end of FSP-phase 1 in Mansa district. The survey was conducted in Mabumba area in Mansa District of the Luapula Province of Zambia. The study was done on a very small-stratified randomly selected sample of 70 Households out of which 35 Households were that of the Beneficiaries and the other 35 comprised the Non Beneficiaries. Both qualitative and quantitative data were obtained from primary and secondary sources. This was achieved by using triangulation approach in order to ensure consistency in the type of data being collected. The approach involved the use of a structured questionnaire on to the stratified randomly selected households, personal interviews of key informants and participatory rural appraisal techniques. The data was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and Microsoft excel. The results however, indicated that the programme partially achieved the objective of improving household food security and livelihoods among the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries had higher crop production levels than the non-beneficiaries in maize and cowpea leading to improved household food security. Between 2004 and 2007, cassava and groundnut production increased thus contributing positively to both the household food security and livelihood. PAM-FSP had positive impact though not statistically significant. Based on beneficiary perception, the programme was effective and performed very well in terms of input delivery. Incomes from crop production was positively influenced by household size, treatment and secondary education and negatively influenced by number of orphans per household. With reference to the research findings the recommendations were that government should continue and even increase the funding of the FSP program, if poverty reduction among the vulnerable but viable small-scale farmers has to be realized. PAM-FSP should increase the number of crops like cowpea to ensure food availability during the food lean period of the year.
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Food security-Zambia
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