Abstract
ISSN: 3066-3822
Volume 1 Issue 2
Digital Journal of Science (DJS)
Maize Landraces Amidist Highly Marketed Hybrid Maize Seed – A Potential Risk to Household Food Security for Small-Scale Farmers
Department of Development Studies, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
*Corresponding Author: Brivery Siamabele, Department of Development Studies, University of Zambia.
DOI:
Abstract
Maize production has played an increasing and diverse role in global agriculture food systems. For example, worldwide production has increased from 318 million metric tons in 1973 to 1.2 billion metric tons in 2022, growing at an average annual rate of 3.04% more than any cereal crop. While this trend corresponds with a sharp increase in hybrid maize cultivation, it has seen a sharp decrease in maize landrace cultivation. This was revealed during the study that investigated the prevalence of hybrid maize seeds and maize landraces cultivation among small-scale farmers in Zambia particularly Pemba District of Southern Province. In terms of the methods, the study utilised a mixed- approach to data collection, semi-structured questionnaire, interview guide, and focus group discussion. A sample size of 76 Small-scale farmers and 18 key informants were interviewed leading to descriptive and thematic analysis. The results showed that hybrid maize poses a huge threat to the cultivation and existence of maize landraces as only 4% of the smallholder farmers cultivated landraces in Pemba District. This situation is fuelled by anti-maize landraces and pro-hybrid government policies which present a risk of maize landraces extinction and a missed opportunity by the government to increase the staple food, eliminate the cost of hybrid maize seed from the farmer, and reduce rural poverty. Without deliberate action to address this problem, the smallholder agricultural food system will remain more vulnerable to climate change, leading to compromised food security. It is therefore recommended to the government to embark on promoting maize landraces as they have the advantage of being recycled to help farmers achieve household food security at a minimal cost.
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