Farm-based factors shaping crop enterprise diversification among maize small-holder farmers in Kalulushi District of Zambia

Abstract

This study examined the factors shaping crop enterprise diversification among small-holder maize farmers in the Kalulushi District of Zambia. Having high crop enterprise diversification promotion among small-holder maize recently as a household food security and farm enterprise risk absorption strategy across Zambia, questions have arisen on factors encouraging or negating farmer responses since maize production has remained dominant, particularly under rain-fed systems. The study used primary data from a sample of 150 farmers. Data included the crop enterprise diversification index as the dependent variable, whereas the farming practice, farm size, the maize subsistence index, cooperative dependence, distance to the central market, weighted maize selling price, dependence on government purchases, planting period and source of financing for farming are the independent variables. Empirical results revealed that crop enterprise diversification increased with an increase in distance from the market, conservation farming practice, subsistence level, weighted maize selling price, and alternative financing. However, it decreased with an increase in farm size and dependence on government purchases. Cooperative dependence and planting period were not found to affect crop enterprise diversification. The study recommends streamlining crop enterprise diversification with distance from the market, farming practice, level of subsistence, weighted maize selling price, alternative financing, farm size and dependence on government purchases.