Fertilizer use on Smallholder Farm in Eastern Province, Zambia

IN Sub-Sahara Africa, Which so far has benefited little from the green revolution. the adoption of high-yielding maize had great potential for closing the gap between food demand and supply. To bring about this transformation, fertilizer is essential for realizing the yield potential of hybrid maize while sustaining the fertility of Africa's fragile land. This study of Eastern Province, Zambia, shows that use of fertilizer on traditional varieties can also be a catalyst for agricultural growth. This work is part of an extensive body of research on adoption of new agricultural technology carried out by IFPRi in Asia and Africa. The study was undertaken in collaboration with several Zambia institutions, including the Rural Development Studies Bureau(University of Zambia), the National Food and Nutrition Commission, and the Eastern Province Agricultural Development Project( both of the government of the Republic Of Zambia.) It was founded by the Swiss Development Cooperation. The relationship between technological change and government policy has always been an important part of IFPRI's research program. IFPRI's ongoing research on fertilizer use is part of an effort to devise workable policies for translating new technology into rapid agricultural growth and sustainable development that benefit all segments of society, but particularly the poor. it also relates to other IFPRI research on input market reforms, which examines ways to improve access of the poor to inputs such as fertilizer through efficient pricing and distribution policies.