?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Adc&rft.relation=http%3A%2F%2Foar.icrisat.org%2F328%2F&rft.title=Distribution+of+relief+seed+and+fertilizer+in+Zimbabwe%3A+Lessons+from+the+2003%2F04+season&rft.creator=Rohrbach%2C+D+D&rft.creator=Mashingaidze%2C+A+B&rft.creator=Mudhara%2C+M&rft.subject=Agriculture-Farming%2C+Production%2C+Technology%2C+Economics&rft.description=Drought+and+flood+relief+programs+distributing+free+seed+and+fertilizer+are+common+in+southern+Africa%2C+but+little+is+known+about+their+efficacy.+This+study+summarizes+the+impacts+of+input+relief+programs+in+Zimbabwe%2C+based+on+data+from+surveys+conducted+in+2004%2C+following+two+consecutive+drought+years.+The+analysis+reveals+substantial+opportunities+for+improving+these+programs.+First%2C+targeting+of+beneficiary+households+must+be+improved.+There+was+little+difference+between+recipients+and+nonrecipients+in+terms+of+household+characteristics%2C+composition%2C+poverty+level+etc.+Many+households+received+inputs+from+more+than+one+NGO.+Targeting+can+be+improved+through+better+sharing+of+information%2C+and+by+using+simpler+selection+criteria+(eg%2C+ownership+of+livestock)+to+identify+beneficiaries.+Contrary+to+common+perceptions%2C+farm+communities+tend+to+be+reasonably+successful+at+maintaining+seed+stocks+even+after+multiple+years+of+drought.+Correspondingly%2C+the+delivery+of+free+seed+did+not+contribute+to+an+increase+in+planted+area.+If+seed+is+provided%2C+more+emphasis+is+needed+on+quality%0D%0Acontrol+and+proper+labeling.+Also+contrary+to+common++perceptions%2C+distribution+of+small+quantities+of+fertilizer+offered+substantially+higher+returns+than+distribution+of+seed.+The+application+of+as+little+as+10+kg+of+nitrogen+per+hectare+contributed+substantially+to+food+security+in+drought-prone+regions.+This+study+also+compared+three+alternative+input+distribution+methods%3A+direct+handouts+of+seed+and+fertilizer%2C+seed+fairs%2C+and+the+use+of+vouchers+redeemable+at+retail+shops.+While+direct+handouts+are%0D%0Alogistically+the+easiest+method+(and+the+most+widely+used)%2C+voucher-based+programs+linked+with+retail+shops+potentially+offer+the+greatest+development+impacts.&rft.publisher=International+Crops+Research+Institute+for+the+Semi-Arid+Tropics&rft.date=2005&rft.type=Monograph&rft.type=NonPeerReviewed&rft.format=application%2Fpdf&rft.language=en&rft.identifier=http%3A%2F%2Foar.icrisat.org%2F328%2F1%2FCO_0007.pdf&rft.identifier=++Rohrbach%2C+D+D+and+Mashingaidze%2C+A+B+and+Mudhara%2C+M++(2005)+Distribution+of+relief+seed+and+fertilizer+in+Zimbabwe%3A+Lessons+from+the+2003%2F04+season.++Monograph.+International+Crops+Research+Institute+for+the+Semi-Arid+Tropics.+++++