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Determinants of Crop Diversification amongst Agricultural Co-Operators in Dundwa Agricultural Camp, Choma District, Zambia

Author

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  • Dube, Lighton
  • Numbwa, Revaux
  • Guveya, Euveya

Abstract

A sound understanding of the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder farmers and how they influence their crop diversification decisions would help policy makers in crafting appropriate measures for promoting crop diversification. The objectives of this study is to assess the degree of crop diversification and the factors influencing crop diversification among the farm households at Dundwa Agricultural Camp of Zambia. The study uses primary data collected from 60 farm households using structured questionnaire during the period October to November 2014. The degree of crop diversification among farm households was measured using the Entropy index. Further, the censored Tobit model was used to examine how the farmers’ socioeconomic characteristics influences crop diversification. The mean entropy index is 0.88 and this showsa very high degree of crop diversification among the farmers. The Tobit regression model showed that crop diversification is positively influenced by the gender of head of household, the production of cash crops by the household and household investment in basic farming equipment. On contrary, the age of head of household, total farm size, access to agricultural markets and total area cultivated negatively influenced crop diversification. The study recommends for increased capacity building of female headed households in farm decision-making and promoting household investment in basic farming implements as measures to promoting crop diversification.

Suggested Citation

  • Dube, Lighton & Numbwa, Revaux & Guveya, Euveya, 2016. "Determinants of Crop Diversification amongst Agricultural Co-Operators in Dundwa Agricultural Camp, Choma District, Zambia," Asian Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development, Asian Economic and Social Society (AESS), vol. 6(01).
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ajosrd:338760
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.338760
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Kotchikpa Gabriel Lawin & Lota Tamini, 2019. "Determinants of Crop Diversification in Burkina Faso - What is the Impact of Risk Preference?," CIRANO Working Papers 2019s-07, CIRANO.
    3. Dayakar Peddi & B. Suresh Reddy, 2023. "Analysis of Irrigation Enhancement, Crop Diversification and Farm Profits: Evidence from Telangana State," Review of Development and Change, , vol. 28(2), pages 189-206, December.
    4. Esther J. Cheyo & Edmond Nyuyki Mainimo & Daniel M. Okello & Walter Odongo & Stephen W. Kalule, 2024. "Participation and commercialization in producer cooperatives: Insights on the role of cooperative functioning and equity strategies," Annals of Public and Cooperative Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 95(3), pages 815-834, September.
    5. Yanzhe Li & Kai Hu & Liping Wu, 2025. "Exploring the Influence Mechanism of Government Assistance on Farmers’ Planting Willingness in the Context of Extreme Weather: An Empirical Study Based on the Grain Farmers in Jiangxi Province, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-23, February.
    6. Lawin, Kotchikpa G. & Tamini, Lota D., "undated". "Risk preferences and crop diversification amongst smallholder farmers in Burkina Faso," Annual Meeting, 2017, June 18-21, Montreal, Canada 258058, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society.

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