EfD Discussion Paper,
Environment for Development, University of Gothenburg

Abstract: This paper evaluates the impact of Zambia’s Farmer Input Support Programme reform on the degree of crop diversification and crop rotation. The paper combines a rich two-wave panel of rural household survey data, high resolution satellite rainfall data, and primary in-depth interviews with Agricultural Extension workers. The paper finds that expanding the number of crops supported beyond just maize positively impacted both the level of crop diversification and the intensity of crop rotation. These results show that reforms are effective in stimulating the adoption of climate-smart farming behaviour. However, the impact is undermined by the absence of functioning markets for alternative crops, the entrenched culture of mono-cropping maize, and the general lack of knowledge and resources necessary to adopt new technologies.

Keywords: subsidy; reform; impact evaluation; crop diversification; crop rotation

JEL-codes: O38; Q00; Q12; Q18

Language: English

29 pages, October 8, 2021

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