Beyond maize: exploring agricultural diversification in Zambia from different perspectives
Despite the Zambian Government’s intention to diversify agriculture, the country is still heavily reliant on a narrow range of crops. Two-thirds of the total area under crop cultivation is devoted to maize. Consequently, the Zambian food system is not delivering enough affordable or nutritious foods for the majority of the population. Diversifying agricultural production has the potential to increase the availability, affordability and accessibility of diverse and nutritious food, and is one of the major contributions the agricultural sector can make to food security and nutrition. In addition, diversification has positive impacts on income and creating more resilient communities. This discussion paper explores the reasons for the lack of diversity from the perspectives of smallholder households, market actors and extension officers. The study clearly shows that diversifying agricultural production requires a holistic approach involving a range of stakeholders.
