African Urban Sociology (Planning/Social) | 28 September 2010
Climate-Resilient Maize Varieties for Smallholder Women Farmers in Zambia: An Evaluation
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Abstract
Climate change poses significant challenges to smallholder farmers in Zambia, particularly women who cultivate maize as their primary food source and cash crop. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining surveys with field observations to assess the impact of these varieties on crop yields and farmer livelihoods. The climate-resilient maize varieties demonstrated a consistent increase in yield by an average of 20% compared to traditional hybrids, particularly under drought-prone conditions. Climate-resilient maize varieties show promise for enhancing the productivity and resilience of smallholder women farmers in Zambia's agricultural sector. Policy makers should prioritise funding for research into climate-resistant crop varieties and support farmer training programmes to maximise benefits from these innovations.