Students' Project/Research Reports

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Nutritive value of rhodes grass at different growth stages for ruminant production
(The University of Zambia, 1993) Mwale, O)liver
The nutritive value of Rhodes grass (chloris gayana) at different levels of growth, with minimum fertilisation was studied. Nutritive value is in reference to the chemical composition and digestibility of the grass. The grass was harvested at eight growth stages with respect to time after seedling emergence and height of plants above ground; with the first to last harvests being done at 12cm, 20cm, 30cm, 45cm, 60cm and on average >70cm for the sixth, seventh and eighth harvests. Proximate analysis for the samples showed a steady decline in CP from 8.61% at 4 weeks old to 2.83% at 15 weeks when it was cut as hay at eighth harvest. CF increased from 32.34% at initial harvest to 42.03% during the eighth harvest. This reciprocal relationship between CF and CP agreed with previous reports. DM yield increased from 1.75tonnes per hectare at initial harvest to 14.5t/ha at eighth harvest. Invitro OMD also indicated a steady fall from 75.52% at harvest level one, to 54.1% for the eighth. The drop in CP and OMD, rise in CF were attributed to the increase in lignin content of the grass. Invivo OMD was estimated for the eighth harvest level (62.82%) and compared to the laboratory invitro method. The former was higher than the latter which contrasted with earlier reports. Invivo digestibilities for OM, DM, CF and GE were consistent with other figures reported. The analysis helped to determine how much a ruminant animal would obtain in terms of nutrients at each harvest level. It was concluded that the optimum cutting stage would be at 45-60 CJ*
Performance of one dairy herd in the Zambian milk recording scheme
(The University of Zambia, 1993) Kanyinji, Francisco
Milk records of 199 friesian cows, of 1988-89 were collected from Mazabuka Milk Recording Scheme. Fifty-three (53) were heifers, fifty-five were in second lactation, fifty-two were in the third, twenty-five in fourth, twelve in fifth and two were in sixth lactation. Each cow had its own cow card and production chart that showed:date of birth of the cow sire of the dam date of service and calving milk production in days recorded butterfat content of milk date of drying off date culled or died. From this information, averages of production parameters were calculated, such as lactation length lactation yield days taken to peak calving intervals
Evaluation of calliandra callothyrsus, gliricidia sepium,leucaemia leucocephala and sesbania sesban as sole diets for growing goats
(The University of Zambia, 1998) Makabaniso, Ndhlovu
A study to determine voluntary feed intake and body weight change of growing goats fed wilted twigs and leaves of Calliandra callothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Sesbania sesban was conducted at the university of Zambia, School of Agricultural Science field station. 8 female goats with average weight range of 22 to 32.6kg were fed on randomly allotted wilted twigs and leaves of Calliandra callothyrsus, Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala and Sesbania sesban in a 2,4 by 4 Latin square design with four feeding periods lasting 15 days each. The effect of feed type on dry matter intake was highly significant (p<0.01), goats consumed highest (1306g) levels of Gliricidia sepium, followed by Leucaena leucocephala (976g) and then Sesbania sesban (663g) and the least was Calliandra callothyrsus (570g).There was no significant effect of type of feed on body weight (p<0.05), Gliricidia sepium had 25.93kg, Sesbania sesban had 25.43kg, Calliandra callothyrsus had 25.14kg and the least was in Leucaena leucocephala with 24.37kg. The results of this study indicate that Gliricidia sepium is the most preferred diet among the four feeds, followed hy Leucaena leucocephala while Calliandra callothyrsus was the least preferred
Qualirty of milk produced by some selected farmers
(University of Zambia, 2004) Makasa, Chishiki Chikwe
The objective of this research was to establish whether small scale farmers produce milk of high quality or milk of low quality. And if they produce low quality milk establish the causes of this and make recommendations on how they can achieve high quality milk. To achieve the objective the quality of milk produced by small scale farmers around Lusaka area was studied in relation to butterfat, solids not fat, percentage of water added to milk and the bacterial count in milk. This was done by studying records available at Parmalat of 27 small scale farmers for a period of 12 months i.e. from January 2002 to December 2002. The Percentages of Butterfat, solids not fat and water in the milk supplied by the 27 small scale farmers as well as bacterial count was compared with the minimum requirement of the Law in Zambia. This study showed that milk composition was satisfactory i.e. was above the minimum requirement of the law, percentage of water added was 0.62 for the year 2002. Bacterial count was found to be of Grade B. This was particularly due to poor hygiene and lack of cooling facilities.
Quality of milk produced by some selected small-scale farmers around Lusaka
(The University of Zambia, 2004) Makasa, Chikwe Chishiki
The objective of this research was to establish whether small scale farmers produce milk of high quality or milk of low quality. And if they produce low quality milk establish the causes of this and make recommendations on how they can achieve high quality milk. To achieve the objective the quality of milk produced by small scale farmers around Lusaka area was studied in relation to butterfat, solids not fat, percentage of water added to milk and the bacterial count in milk. This was done by studying records available at Parmalat of 27 small scale farmers for a period of 12 months i.e. from January 2002 to December 2002. The Percentages of Butterfat, solids not fat and water in the milk supplied by the 27 small scale farmers as well as bacterial count was compared with the minimum requirement of the Law in Zambia. This study showed that milk composition was satisfactory i.e. was above the minimum requirement of the law, percentage of water added was 0.62 for the year 2002. Bacterial count was found to be of Grade B. This was particularly due to poor hygiene and lack of cooling facilities.
The effect of length of dry period, lactation length and calving interval on subsequent lactation yield
(The University of Zambia, 2004) Siyunyi, Tekulo Samuel
This research was conducted to find out the effects of the length of dry periods (DD), lactation length (DL), season of calving (SC), parity (P) and calving interval (CI) on the subsequent milk yield of the cows in Palabana. Data was collected from Palabana Dairy Training Institute. The data was stretching over a period of ten years (from 1990 to 2001) and was for 60 cows each consisting of a set of data the parameters under study. The data was analysed using MINITAB 14 regression equations and the analysis of variance (ANOVA). From the data collected the following conclusions were made: The average milk yields were 2955.3 Kg. 3540.9 Kg, 3432.4 Kg, 3124.6 Kg and 3137.1 Kg for parities I. 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively. This was in agreement with what Mwenya and Shandomo found out in 1993. R" indicated that for parity 1, 54% of the milk yield was contributed by CI, DD and the SC. Parity 2 had 62 % contribution from all the parameters. Parity 3 had 39.2% pontribution from CI, DD and SC. Parity 4 had 33% contribution from CI, DD and SC. While for parity 5, 59% contribution came from LL and CI.
The performance of COBB 500 broilers under varying stocking densities
(The University of Zambia, 2004) Mwaka, Kayula
An experiment using a Completely Randomised Design with four treatments and four replications per treatment was conducted to determine the performance of the Cobb 500 strain of broilers under varying stocking densities (6 , 9, 12 and 15 birds/m^). The experiment was conducted over a period of 42 days using 168 non-sexed Cobb 500 broilers fed ad libitum. Stocking densities were the treatments. An analysis of variance was used to analyse for the differences in live body weights, weight gain and feed conversion efficiency. The results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in average daily gain. The values at 42 days were 55.3, 54.2, 53.5 and 53.1g/day for 6, 9, 12 and 15 birds/m^, respectively. The feed conversion ratios for the four treatments were not different (P>0.05). Their values were: 1.99, 2.01, 2.02 and 2.03; and the daily feed consumption per bird was not different (P>0.05) at 42 days for all the stocking densities. These results showed that the stocking density of 15 birds/m^ is not high enough to cause detrimental effects on the broilers and farmers could stock 15 birds/m^ for maximum biomass productivity and efficient use of the space available Key words: Stocking density, live body weight, Biomass productivity, feed consumption, feed conversion ratio.
Small-scale maize milling business operations: A case study of Lusaka province
(The University of Zambia, 2005) Mbuzi, Chapita
The overall focus of this study was to analyze the small-scale maize milling business operation in Lusaka Province. The objectives were to understand the operational and managerial characteristics, identify the different marketing strategies and to examine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats affecting the small-scale millers (SWOT analysis). The methodology used in the study was a simple survey in which purposive sampling was used. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the small-scale maize millers. This was complemented by secondary information from various sources. The general findings from the study were that the small-scale maize millers were lacking in education and this was both the employees and the owners. Other findings were that most hammer-mills were owned by the males and most of them had no employees who were trained in such fields as marketing, accoimts and production. Most of the hammer-mills were found to be located in Lusaka District and this showed that Lusaka had a high demand of products from the hammer-mills. The marketing strategies which were used were not good at all in the sense that they were inadequate and lacking a professional touch which made them not very effective. Most of them were producing roller and breakfast meal as there basic products. Most of the hammer-mills were repaired by the owner when they broke down. It was also found that the management structure of most small-scale maize millers was very simple in the sense that it only comprised of the owner-children-relatives-workers. In the absence of the owner the children or the relative took charge of the running of the business. Competifion from the large scale millers and potential entrants into the industry were said to be the main threats and the weaknesses which was found and that most of them did not have trained personnel and they .lack the basic education. Among the opportunities it was found that most of them had different plans on how to expand which showed that they were numerous opportunities in the maize milling business. One of the strengths which they possessed was the owner's equity which most of them had and this meant that most of them were safe from insolvency or liquidation since they did not borrow any money to start the business. From the above it can be concluded that a lot needs to be done concerning the small-scale maize milling in the sense that their is need to encourage more women to take up maize milling as a business and that the millers need to be trained at least in some of the basic management, planning, accounting, and marketing. The govenmient should provide adequate extension services to target the small-scale maize millers so as to make sure that their needs are met.
Human-Wildlife conflicts in Mwanachingwala conservation area(MCA) Kafue Flats of Zambia
(The University of Zambia, 2005) Choonga, Mutandalike S
The study of the human-wildUfe conflicts in MCA Kafue flats was done in the month of August. The study used a structured questionnaire, focus group discussions and individual intennews unth randomly chosen individuals. Descriptive SPSS software was used to analyze the data at two levels: the whole data and data according to major economic actii/ities of Fishing, Crop production and cattle herders. Twelve villages and one fishing camp were surveyed. The results indicated 19.39 % of crop farmers (17.39 % of local people) were affected by the damage caused by wildlife to crops and the Monkey/Impalas accounted for 66.67 % of this conflict. From the results human-croc/hippo conflicts affected 76.92 % of the fishermen (29 % of the local people) resulting into a loss of 13 human lives in the study year. Most of the croc/hippo attacks (75 %) happened in the Kafue River and at night (90 %). At the time of study, the MCA management through free tick control measures and a planned grazing overlap design were mitigating livestock-wildlife conflicts. The study concluded that the human-wildlife conflicts in the MCA Kafue flats could be either destructive, aggressive or as health risk to the residents and their possession. The combined effects of these conflicts were observed in the increasing levels of poaching activities and animal damage intolerance. Higher wildlife damage tolerance by the local people and more proactive means when resolinng a conflict with an animal were recommended.
Economic role of goat production to smallholder livelihoods in Zambia's Gwembe district
(University of Zambia, 2007) Muyatwa, Likando
The study was aimed at establishing the economic role of goat production to smallholder livelihoods. It was undertaken in Gwembe District in Zambia's Southern Province. A survey was conducted covering 100 households and purposive sampling was employed to select households who were involved in goat production. The study showed that on average a weaner would contribute about KIO, 193.00, a Shegoat K12, 816.00 and a billy K20, 015.00 towards the total net margin of a smallholder livelihood. On the other hand the smallholder livelihoods in the study area kept the following livestock; cattle, local chicken, pigs, pigeons, ducks and fowls and these contributed to their economic well being. According to the respondents there was a high participation of other service providers in the study area. These service providers were; the Government, World Vision and German Technical aid to Zambia. The type of assistance given by these organizations differed e.g. assistance given by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operative staff was purely extension services while that given by World Vision and German Technical aid to Zambia was inform of inputs such as breeding stock and drugs. As for the marketing system, individuals and private organizations were the only institutions involved in buying of goats from the small-scale farmers, there was no government interventions. It was also noted that farmers mostly sale their goats in the dry season due to hunger at that time of the year. It was recommended that Producers and Middlemen form Associations and contribute to a revolving fund, to improve the marketing facilities, other than waiting for funds from the government. The government should create legal institutions to foster the development of goat industry in the country e.g. through the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives.
Factors Affecting the Performance of Small Holder Credit Schemes offered by Commercial Banks in Chipata District
(University of Zambia, 2007) Hansungule, Thomas Phiri
This study was carried out in Chipata District in Zambia's Eastern Province. The overall focus of this study was to analyse the factors which affect the performance of small holder credit schemes offered by commercial banks to small scale farmers. The Zambia National Commercial Bank and National Savings and Credit Bank offers credit to small scale farmers. The objectives were to determine the productivity levels o f small scale farmers who have received credit from commercial banks, to determine the performance of small scale farmers in terms of loan repayment, to assess the appropriateness of lending policies of the bank and to find out the extent to which commercial banks supervise the way small scale farmers use their loans for. The findings were that in general productivity levels of small scale farmers increase after accessing credit, this can be attributed to availability of farming inputs to farmers when they access credit, on the other hand it was found that these commercial banks do not monitor the loans use by farmers. Research also reviewed that small scale farmers who were accessing these loans were benefiting because their income levels increase though not upon selling their produce because of the long period it takes for them to be paid, the farmers use this income to send their children to school, access health services and generally improve their conditions of living. The key recommendations of this study were that the Zambia National Savings and Credit Bank and Zambia National Commercial Bank must involve farmers in the formulation of these Credit Packages and to embark on extensive Monitoring programs.
The impact of dairy production on food security among smallholder farmers: A case study on Land O' Lakes Inc. In the Southern Province of Zambia
(University of Zambia, 2007) Moyo, Nkosana Felix
The dairy industry is an important sector in the household food security of many Zambian families. In this study, the impact of dairy of dairy production on food security among smallholder dairy farmers in Monze and Choma under Land O' Lakes (lol) is a case under consideration. The study used survey data collected using a structured questionnaire from a sample of 80 farmers which included 50% of beneficiaries and another 50% non beneficiaries of the same geographical location. The sample was drawn randomly from lol baseline survey sample conducted in 2001. Four indicators of food security namely off farm income, income earned from dairy sales, and types of protein foods consumed were tested and found reliable as the overall of food security. Both Analysis of Variances (ANOVA) and the Double Difference (DD) were used to determine the impact of the project on food security. The results showed that for beneficiaries, off farm incomes were not significant at 70%, meat consumed was not significant at 38%), fish consumed was significant at 5%, and the amount earned from dairy sales was not significant at 6l%o, while for non beneficiaries off farm incomes were significant at 9%, meat consumed was significant at 24%, fish consumed was significant at 18%) and incomes earned from dairy sales were significant at 24%. The study concluded that the project intervention had an impact on improved incomes and food security. The project beneficiaries' households had higher incomes from dairy sales and that the differences between them had widened. This was especially true for the value of assets, food security, meat and fish consumed. It is recommended that further research be conducted on marketing and pricing of dairy products, and accessibility of micro loans for project sustainability. More women must also be involved in the project to meet the 30%) participation requirement.
Pineapple marketing in Mwinilunga district of Zambia
(University of Zambia, 2007) Chipasha, Chunga Henry
The overall objective of this research was to determine the efficiency of the pineapple market by using the Structure, Conduct and Performance model for analysing markets. This study was conducted in Ikelenge within Mwinilunga District of Zambia. The study area was selected as it is one of the main areas where pineapples produced. The respondents were 43 farmers and 29 traders. These were purposively sampled due to the absence of a sampling frame. The farmers were personally interviewed by employing a structured questionnaire, consisting of closed and open - ended questions, these types of questions were used in order to maximise the amount of data collected. The data collected was processed with a computer using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS), this was due to the fact that the data collected was quantitative in nature. With respect to the pineapple industry's structure, the study found that the industry has no formal registered firms. The industry is at its infancy stage and the barriers to e n ^ were in the form of lack of capital, lack of appropriate transport facilities and lack of an established market. In terms of conduct, the study found that no single trader or farmer had influence on the industry as a whole. Most of the traders as well as farmers use negotiations as a means of coercing rivals. Due to the lade of standards, and lack of independent actions of the traders, the conduct was found to be inefficient. Market performance is a ilinction of the outcome of the structure and conduct. The study findings also show that there was an indication of a deviation from the 'ideal model', as traders and farmers were not acting independently, the market was not organized, and products were not standardised. Based on these findings the following recommendations were made; traders and farmers organise themselves into associations, rehabilitate the road network, there is need to provide infrastructural facilities, and need to establish credit facilities.
An evaluation of the Southern Tombwe Growers Association out grower credit scheme for small holder farmers in Choma District
(University of Zambia, 2007) Lukwesa, Herman
The general objective of the study was to evaluate the credit delivery scheme provided to small scale tobacco farmers by Southern Tombwe Growers Association (STOGA) in the out grower scheme arrangement. The specific objectives were to determine (a) the loan recovery rate from small scale farmers at STOGA (b) the factors influencing small scale farmers to default in their loan repayments (c) the appropriateness and effectiveness of the credit delivery scheme offered by STOGA to small scale farmers.(d) strategies out grower schemes have in place to reduce high default rates by small-scale farmers. This study was carried out in Choma District of Zambia. The study was done with STOGA which was running an out grower scheme with small scale farmers in this area. The study focused on a single crop (tobacco) for easy evaluation. The association had 378 members benefiting from the scheme and only 80 farmers were selected for the study using simple random sampling techniques. Both primary and secondary data was collected from the Board members and extension officers at STOGA who are the scheme managers. A case study conducted on STOGA. Interviews were conducted with small scale farmers to collect primary data using questionnaires and focus group discussions. According to the research findings, the number of farmers who had defaulted was 57.5% i.e. they fell below the cut- off point. Of the factors that contributed to the farmers defaulting {54.3%) attributed the default to drought, (63.0%) to low price fetched by the tobacco on the market, (41.7%)) to poor harvest due to late delivery of inputs and (67.5%) due to delays by the contracting firm to pay farmers for their produce were among some of the reasons farmers attributed to causing them to default. Despite the default rates being 57.5% of the farmers defaulting, 62.5%) of the farmers indicated that they were benefiting from the out grower scheme in terms of increased income and improved livelihood and the defaults were not to the extent that can close down the out grower scheme. It was recommended that the out grower scheme should consider revising the terms and conditions of paying back the loan in instances were yields are affected by natural causes. Farmers need to be consulted when it comes to setting the selling price of tobacco rather than imposing these prices on them. Prices of tobacco on the floor to be quoted in kwacha and not in dollars so that farmers can better understand the pricing system. Extension workers to intensify their visits during harvesting and curing time as this would help the farmers increase their income by achieving a better grade when selling tobacco on the floors. The out grower scheme to include programmes that incorporate the growing of staple foods such as maize side by side with tobacco to reduce on the number of farmers side selling the produce to buy food.
Assessment of the Small Holder Market creation Project.:b case study of Kabwe District
(University of Zambia, 2007) Nkumbwa, Penelope
This research report presents an assessment of the performance of the beneficiaries of the Smallholder Market Creation (SMC) Project after the conclusion of the implementation stage. The SMC project was implemented by the International Development Enterprise, Zambia office, from June 2003 to 2005. An evaluation of the project performance in December 2005 revealed that the project had achieved its objectives, some of which were increased incomes for the farmers and food self sufficiency. However, there was need to determine whether the beneficiaries still continued to reap the benefits of the project even after IDE had pulled out. This study, therefore, intended to assess the performance of the individual farmers after the end of the implementation stage of the project. Several indicators such as types of crops grown using irrigation, size of irrigated land, constraints being faced by the farmers, organization of the farmers in the running of the project and the profitability realized from the irrigation ventures of the farmers were all used to determine the performance of the farmers. The study was conducted in Chibombo, Chankumba and Mukobeko areas of Kabwe District in Central Province, Zambia. Primary data was collected by the use of administering a structured questionnaire to 22 out o the 35 beneficiaries of the project in the area. Secondary data to be used for comparisons of gross margins was obtained fi-om the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives. The data obtained was analyzed using SPSS and MS Excel. The findings of the study indicated that the crops grown using irrigation were tomatoes, cabbage, impwa, rape, cotton, onion, pumpkin leaves, and green pepper. The main source of the water was the well. Water supply for irrigation purposes was adequate. For instance in 2005, 54.5% of the respondents said they had water all year round and 40.9% of the respondents also said they had water for over 6 months of that year. This scenario is similar to 2006, with 72.7 % of the beneficiaries experiencing no water shortage the entire growing season. The gross margins computed for the four selected crops and 8 farmers averaged between 65 and 90%. This indicates that the activities of the farmers were profitable. The major problems or constraints that were faced by the farmers were spares for the pumps, inadequate supply of labor and lack of access to adequate fertilizer. Key recommendations from the study are that a mechanism must be developed whereby spare parts are made available to the intended farmers, so that the efficiency of the pumps is not adversely affected. Similar fixture projects should also ensure that committee members are trained in order for them to be able to comprehend the new technologies acquired, so that they can transfer it to other farmers.
The Sustainable Use and Concervation of Biodiversity in Zambia: A Review of the Forestry Sector
(The University of Zambia, 2008) Shauma, Groy
In Zambia more than 60 percent of the land is forest. The forests provide vital products for rural and urban dwellers, such as fuel wood, timber for construction and food. Generally forests provide shelter for animals and promote biological diversity conservation. Deforestation is mainly caused by uncontrolled forest product exploitation, illegal settlements, encroachment, clearing land for agricultural purposes and bush fires. This has brought about the need to restructure the forestry and related departments and also to reform both the law and policies in light of the current emerging consumption trends and land use practices that are unsustainable. Currently the Zambian Forestry Sector faces increasingly difficult challenges. The most obvious being the growing demand for forest products (especially fuel wood), Environmental services, the conservation of biological diversity, mitigation of global climate changes, protection from desertification and protection of soil and water resources, demands for achieving more equitable distribution of benefits from forests, for safeguarding the rights of local communities (forest dwellers), and for ensuring widespread participation in decision making related to forest management has added to the complexity and challenge of forest management and policy making today. Although Zambia has at least 19 pieces of legislation and a number of policies related to biodiversity in Zambia, the principal Act that governs the forest sector is the Forestry Act Number 39 of 1973. However, this Act emphasis on the "policing" sole of the forestry Department and the exclusion and restriction of local communities in forest management. Furthermore this Act took away all private ownership rights of trees, even where title to land was held. In response to this the government has made a new forest policy that has the objective of ensuring rational and sustainable protection, management, production and utilization of forest resources. It recognizes the need for employing broad-based and participatory approaches to forest sector development. In addition the Zambian government has also enacted a new Forest Act of 1999 which contains salient provisions which addresses most of the challenging environmental issues. However this Act is still non operational citing financial, legal and administrative huddles. Also the government has ratified various International Environmental Instruments and also has made a global commitment to conserve natural resources as can committed to come up with various initiatives to promote conservation and sustainable use of forest resources, especially in this day and age of the growing threat of global warming and climate change.
A Comparative Study of Conventional and organic Cotton production Among Small holder farmers in Chongwe District
(University of Zambia, 2008) Hakooma, Chilala Royen
Recent comparative studies in Zambia on conventionally and organically grown cotton established higher profits for organic cotton grown on demonstration plots than conventional cotton grown by the small scale farmers in the area. However, gross margins should only be compared with figures from farms with similar characteristics. This study therefore was conducted to compare the two technologies under similar farm conditions. This report provides a basis on which farmers will make informed decisions whether to engage in organic or conventional cotton production. A comparative study was conducted on organic and conventional cotton grown by smallholder farmers in Chongwe District for the 2005/06 farming season. The research compared the yields, the cost structure, limiting production factors and the profitability of the two technologies. Research data was obtained through administering a structured questionnaire to respondents who were all members of CHOPPA and unstructured interviews were conducted with key informants who were the project implementers. Secondary data on conventional cotton was acquired from CHOPPA and K A T C . The research established a higher profit for conventional than organic cotton. Conventional recorded a profit of Z M K 210, 6000 while organic cotton recorded a loss of Z M K 350, 904. The loss in organic cotton was attributed to low average yields of 140.8Kgs per hectare compared to 1024Kgs in conventional cotton. Organic cotton had higher production costs of Z M K 1,017,000 compared to Z M K 726, 000 per hectare for conventional cotton. The production costs were 40% higher in organic compared to conventional cotton. The level of knowledge on the technicalities of organic cotton production was established to be the most limiting factor to the organic cotton technology. The profitability of organic cotton is expected to improve with the increased level of knowledge of the organic farmer. The difference in the cost structure included the cost of labour which was higher in organic than conventional cotton, the cost of pest control which was higher by 51% in conventional compared to organic cotton and lastly the fertilizing costs which were higher in organic than in conventional cotton. Based on this study, it was recommended that a research be carried out to observe performance of organic cotton over a long period of time. The project should establish strong linkages with other stakeholders to facilitate development of the organic farming technology. Lastly, the current organic cotton technology should be modified from basic to higher input organic production, which incorporates the use of organically certified pesticides in production. This w i l l enable concurrent pest control.
Assessment of factors affecting the adoption of minimum tillage practices in Sinazongwe district
(t, 2008) Mungaila, Brandy
The main objective of this study was to assess the factors that affect the adoption of minimum tillage practices in Sinazongwe District in Southern Province of Zambia. The study was based on sample survey data from the District. A Tobit analysis was used to identify the factors that motivate the level and intensity of adoption of Minimum tillage practices in the district. The article considers explanatory variables like the level of education of the household head, the household size, age of the household head, the sex of the household head, the marital status of the household head, total value of assets, farm size, dependence ratio, total area cultivated in ha, distance to the main road, access to credits, access to incentives, access to technical advice and livestock ownership. The results showed that adoption of Minimum tillage in the District is explained by farm size, household size, the age of the farmer, level of education of the household head and livestock ownership. The findings revealed that a household's decision to adopt Minimum tillage is significantly responsive to farm size (p-value = 0.017), household size, (p-value = 0.005), the age of the farmer (p-value = 0.036), level of education of the household head (p-value = 0.054), and livestock ownership (p-value = 0.013). These are the factors that the extension agents ought to consider as they diffuse the information about the adoption of this technology. Minimum tillage is an essential technology to improving the food security of smallholder farmers as well as providing a sustainable way of earning income. Extension education should emphasize the importance of the technology by explaining its several agronomic and economic benefits to the farmers. The government should introduce simple implements such as Magoye ripper at a reasonable cost so that farmers with smaller household sizes can use them. This would increase the adoption rates of the technology for it is labour intensive.
An assessment of the performance and the effectiveness of the food security pack project in Mansa district
(The University of Zambia, 2008) Mutondo, Paul
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.
Agriculture In Zambia: The effects of feeding varying levels of diatomaceous earth on the perfomance of broilers
(The University of Zambia, 2008) Kayumu, Ramans
The broiler industry is rising in Zambia and smallholder farmers are participating in back- yard gardens. Feed is the highest cost in broiler production. The Diatomaceous Earth (DE) is a naturally occurring inert material, which has proved to have various effects including improving growth rate of animals. A study to determine the effects of adding varying levels of DE to feed on performance of broilers was conducted for period of seven (7) weeks at the University of Zambia, School of Agricultural Sciences field station. In the study research, using the completely randomized design with six (6) treatments and four(4) replicates a total of 240 day -old Ross chicks non sexed were used. The birds were fed Broiler Starter Mash from National Milling Company Limited for four weeks and Broiler Finisher for three weeks. The feed was supplemented with DE levels of 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, 4% and 5% which was mixed with feed. Data on feed consumption, body weights and feed conversion ratio was collected and statistically analyzed. The data obtained revealed that there were no significant (p<0.05) differences in feed consumption, body weight and feed conversion ratio between all the treatments. The analysis of the Cost Benefit Ratio (CBR) revealed that more profit can be realized at 0% DE when birds are sold at same price regardless of weight .However if birds are sold on weight basis, the 2% DE inclusion is more profitable. The results on the organoleptic test indicated that DE inclusion in the diet has no effect on eating quality of broiler meat. It is, therefore, concluded that DE can be economically included at 2% on broiler ration.

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