Does adopting legume-based cropping practices improve the food security of small-scale farm households? Panel survey evidence from Zambia |
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Authors: | Christine M Sauer Nicole M Mason Mywish K Maredia Rhoda Mofya-Mukuka |
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Affiliation: | 1.Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics,Michigan State University,East Lansing,USA;2.Indaba Agricultural Policy Research Institute,Lusaka,Zambia |
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Abstract: | This study provides empirical evidence on whether and how integrating legumes into production systems affects measures of small-scale farm households’ food availability and access. We used nationally representative household panel survey data from Zambia to estimate the differential effects on cereal-growing households of incorporating grain legumes into their farms via cereal-legume intercropping, cereal-legume rotation, and other means (such as legume monocropping). Specifically, we tested the hypotheses that with all else equal, cereal-growing small-scale farm households that integrate grain legumes into their production systems have: (1) more availability of food as measured by total production of calories and protein; (2) more income from crop production or sales; and (3) increased food access. Results suggest that cereal-legume rotation was associated with statistically significant increases in production of calories and protein by a household as well as their gross value of crop sales; it may also improve their food access. In contrast, we found little evidence of statistically significant effects of cereal-legume intercropping and other forms of legume production on household food availability and access in Zambia. |
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