OAR@ICRISATDistribution of relief seed and fertilizer in Zimbabwe: Lessons from the 2003/04 seasonD DRohrbachauthorA BMashingaidzeauthorMMudharaauthorDrought and flood relief programs distributing free seed and fertilizer are common in southern Africa, but little is known about their efficacy. This study summarizes the impacts of input relief programs in Zimbabwe, based on data from surveys conducted in 2004, following two consecutive drought years. The analysis reveals substantial opportunities for improving these programs. First, targeting of beneficiary households must be improved. There was little difference between recipients and nonrecipients in terms of household characteristics, composition, poverty level etc. Many households received inputs from more than one NGO. Targeting can be improved through better sharing of information, and by using simpler selection criteria (eg, ownership of livestock) to identify beneficiaries. Contrary to common perceptions, farm communities tend to be reasonably successful at maintaining seed stocks even after multiple years of drought. Correspondingly, the delivery of free seed did not contribute to an increase in planted area. If seed is provided, more emphasis is needed on quality control and proper labeling. Also contrary to common perceptions, 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: direct handouts of seed and fertilizer, seed fairs, and the use of vouchers redeemable at retail shops. While direct handouts are logistically the easiest method (and the most widely used), voucher-based programs linked with retail shops potentially offer the greatest development impacts.Agriculture-Farming, Production, Technology, Economics2005International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid TropicsMonograph

For work being deposited by its own author: In self-archiving this collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata, I grant OAR@ICRISAT the right to store them and to make them permanently available publicly for free on-line. I declare that this material is my own intellectual property and I understand that OAR@ICRISAT does not assume any responsibility if there is any breach of copyright in distributing these files or metadata. (All authors are urged to prominently assert their copyright on the title page of their work.)

For work being deposited by someone other than its author: I hereby declare that the collection of files and associated bibliographic metadata that I am archiving at OAR@ICRISAT) is in the public domain. If this is not the case, I accept full responsibility for any breach of copyright that distributing these files or metadata may entail.

Clicking on the deposit button indicates your agreement to these terms.