'BEYOND MAIZE' THROUGH WOMEN EMPOWERMENT By Natasha Mhango

"Women are key actors within the food system," (Kirk, et al.,September 2018)

Zambia’s agricultural sector is dominated by maize. About two thirds of cropped area is covered by the crop.Furthermore, maize production is largely dependent on rainfall making it vulnerable to changes in the weather patterns.

“Of the 1.5 million smallholders in Zambia, an estimated 89% grew maize in 2015 (CSO, et al.2016). Fewer than 80% of smallholder farmers cultivate three or fewer crops. The practice of crop diversification is still significantly low regardless of the visible effects of climate change and existing poor nutrition levels.

On August 22^nd, Hivos People Limited launched a discussion paper entitled Beyond Maize: Exploring agricultural diversification in Zambia from different perspectives.

The study which was presented in a meeting attracted stakeholders from various agricultural backgrounds and brought to light a number of pertinent factors that are stalling the progress of diversification.

Some of these factors included market demand and market access. It is commonly said, by the Ministry of Agriculture, that farming is a business and so farmers’ decisions on what to grow are largely influenced by what consumers on the market are willing to pay for.

“Farmers will grow anything that has market …and maize has market,” Dr. Frank Kayula - president of the National Union for Small-scale Farmers of Zambia – pointed at during the meeting.

 His sentiments were supported by Henry Malumo, pioneer of the Produce Zambian campaign who added that, “Consumer engagement is critical in addressing issues of agricultural diversification.”

“There is a relationship between farmers and traders which influences what farmers are growing,” said Lameck Kashiwa who is General Secretary for the Alliance for Zambian Informal Economy Associations.

In addition to those observations, one interesting fact worth noting from the discussion paper was that “anecdotal evidence suggests that men tend to focus on maize production and other cash crops; and are not as inclined as women to produce other crops, particularly legumes,” (Mofya-Mukuka & Hichaambwa.2016)

It further states that crop commercialization weakened the role of women in decision-making and control of household income and; consequently reduced their impact on dietary diversity because such control was in the hands of men.

Given that agricultural diversification is significantly dependent on dietary diversification, it is disturbing to note that the primary caregivers and chief nutritionists of the home were not given a leading role in efforts to diversify agriculture.

"The high control of men over agricultural income in Zambia could partly explain the current low levels of dietary diversification,"(Mofya-Mukuka & Sambo.2018)

Elizabeth Lifumbo is a small-scale farmer who was privileged to participate in the Beyond Maize discussion. She too is a practical example of how crop diversification even on a small scale can enable household food security and income. She was among the few icons of  the farming community present who was able to testify of the benefits of crop diversification from her 3 acre farm in Mapepe, Chilanga.

“The one advantage of growing different crops is that there is always something to eat in my home,” Ms. Lifumbo said. The challenge she experienced, however, was access to seed other than maize.

“Most of us farmers are willing to grow a wider variety of crops but seed is difficult to find and those which are readily available such as groundnuts are quite expensive,” she added.

Ms. Lifumbo also highlighted the weak bargaining power of rural farmers - especially women farmers - who are compelled to sell their crops at a price controlled by traders therefore  making them reluctant to diversify  their production further.

Deliberate efforts need to be stepped up to strengthen food markets for rural farmers especially women, by aggressively meeting their demand for inputs other than maize and enhancing their access to market.

Empowering women to be active participants int he transformation of the agricultural secotr will inevitably improve nutrition and rural household incomes.