The effectiveness of farmer input support programme in promoting household food security: The case of Chiawa, Kafue district
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Date
2016
Authors
Magasu, Allan
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
Since 2002, the Government of Zambia has been funding a farmer input support programme (FISP) so as to ensure sustained food security at both household and national level. The programme is implemented by Ministry of Agriculture. The main purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) in promoting household food security in Chiawa. Consequently, a research was conducted in Chiawa whose specific objectives were to investigate the quantity of inputs received by each FISP beneficiary; to establish the food security at household level as a result of the fertiliser input support programme and to determine the factors that affect the effectiveness of fertiliser input support.The study employed a combination of quantitative and qualitative approach (but largely qualitative methods) to generate data about the effectiveness of FISP in promoting household food security in Chiawa. Qualitative data were analysed manually while quantitative data were analysed using a computer programme called Microsoft excel come up with tables, a charts and a histogram. A multi stage sampling procedure was used to select some respondents. The procedure employed both simple random selection and purposive sampling. Data for the study was collected through a semi structured questionnaire and interview guides. A semi structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 21 FISP beneficiaries who were interviewed on one to one basis. An interview guide was administered in three (3) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were some FISP beneficiaries were randomly selected. Six (6) Village headmen and two (2) Ministry of Agriculture (MA) officials were purposively selected and interviewed topic. The analysis of this study revealed that each beneficiary of FISP received one pack of input consisting of 100kg (50kg x 2) basal fertiliser ,100kg (50kg x 2) top fertiliser and 10kg maize seed. Further, the study identified the following as factors that affect effectiveness of FISP in promoting household food security; inadequacy of seeds and fertiliser, late delivery of inputs, limited seed varieties, lack of funds by some beneficiaries to pay the required farmer contribution to access inputs, sale of inputs by some beneficiaries. The conclusion of study is that FISP had not resulted into household food security among FISP beneficiaries in Chiawa. Based on the research findings, the study made some recommendations on how FISP could be improved in order for it to promote household food security. It recommended that the government should consider subsidising the FISP pack further to enable majority of the small scale farmers’ access it. In view of the recurrent droughts in the area the study also recommended that FISP pack should be improved to include drought tolerant seeds crops such as sorghum and millet. Lastly, the study recommends a study be conducted to investigate on how FISP pack can be improved to promote household food security.
Description
Master of Arts in Development Studies
Keywords
Food security , Zambia -- Farmers