As in many other cotton growing countries in sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder cotton yields in Zambia  This threatens the sustainability of an industry on which livelihoods of millions of family members either partially or wholly depend. Significantly yields are only between 15% to 50% of the rain grown potential of the commercial varieties. Average yields are approximately 600 kg of seed cotton per hectare and drop to below 550 kg per hectare during seasons of drought or abnormal rainfall distribution during the growing period. Unless addressed this situation may prevail, since crop production continues to depend on rain, yet occurrence of drought is a regular phenomenon.    

Between 1999 and 2005, the number of smallholder cotton farmers (each planting approximately 1.3 hectares of cotton) in Zambia grew from about 100,000 to nearly 280,000 although the average productivity has not changed much, as the large numbers of new cotton farmers, with below average yields, masked the improvements in yields obtained by the established and more experienced cotton farmers. The situation becomes more worrying in light of the long term decline in the world price of lint and lower prices, in real terms, for cotton seed, both of which are mainly exported.

The problem of low cotton yields is not just an industry issue but also a concern of government since the sector is a significant one affecting poverty alleviation initiatives for many rural communities who have few alternative sources of cash income. It is of course equally critical for the ginners who are at continuous risk of not achieving targeted increases in volume, which are the key to holding down unit production costs in the face of inflation. Virtually all smallholder farmers are dependent on receiving pre-financing (in outgrower schemes) of their crop production costs, yet there is an absence of functioning regulatory framework to protect the investments made in this pre-financing by ginners. Low farmer yields pose a significant threat to improved farmer livelihoods and sustainability of the industry.  

Dunavant Zambia Limited, the market leader in the country, understands that in the prevailing economic circumstances, only farmers who can make profit will continue to grow cotton. Beyond the need for new farmers to adopt better cotton production practices, the company sought to empower existing farmers with further knowledge and skills to improve yields. This led to the formulation and implementation of the Yield Improvement through Empowerment, Learning and Discipline programme (YIELD). The focus of this programme is on the ‘Five basic non-negotiables of cotton production’  namely: Early and proper land preparation, Timely planting, Correct and properly spaced plant population, Keeping the crop weed free and Wise pest management. The main output expected from this programme is a critical mass of profit-making smallholder farmers achieving a sustainable improvement in yields and thus higher incomes.

The results of a one year pilot project in (2004/05) and those of the YIELD programme in year one (2005/06) indicate a potential to achieve yield improvements exceeding 100% by farmers who adopt and practice the programme teachings. With such yield improvements, it is possible that the majority of “Traditional” farmers who previously obtained low seed cotton yields (slightly less than 600kg /ha) can, with this appropriate training, move up into the “Better” and then “Committed” farmer yield categories and by achieving improved profits be encouraged to continue to grow cotton.  

Across the cotton growing areas in 2005/06, Programme Co-ordinators and Lead Farmers participating in the YIELD programme planted over 3,100 training (demonstration) plots from November 3^rd  to December 7^th (Early land preparation and Timely planting), weeded 3.2 times (Keeping the crop weed free), scouted for pests 7.2 times and sprayed insecticides 6.0 times over the season (Wise pest management). On average, the Lead Farmers each mobilized and trained 13.6 Collaborating Farmers and the total number of farmers who received training was just over 40,000.

Average seed cotton yields for the Lead Farmers was 1,413kg/ha and those of Collaborating Farmers was 788 kg/ha.  These yields were 163% and 46% higher than those of non participating farmers whose average yield was only 538 kg/ha. These improved yields translated into gross margin gains for the Lead Farmers and Collaborating Farmers of 253% and 60% respectively when compared to those of non programme farmers. 

The results provided a clear indication that, the YIELD programme approach based on the Lead Farmer managed training plots, can achieve the target of improving productivity. Despite a 30% reduction in the seed cotton purchase price per kg (forced by a massive appreciation of the Kwacha against the US Dollar), YIELD farmers were still able to make satisfactory profit / return on their own labour.  

The cost benefit ratios for farmers successfully trained (1 : 2.9 for Lead Farmers and 1 : 2.5 for Collaborating Farmers) are an indication of the excellent overall performance of the programme. 

The YIELD programme is now in its second year and is focused on training similar numbers of farmers, some 70% of whom will be new to the programme and 30% will be farmers from the 2005/06 programme who are being re-trained.  Whilst many more farmers will still need to be trained, programme funding will have been exhausted by the third quarter of this year.  Encouraged by the success achieved an extension of the programme is in the planning stage and will incorporate lessons learnt and place greater emphasis on achieving longer term sustainability and ultimate independence from external funding.

If you want further information or want to participate in this YIELD programme, pls feel free to contact Mr Tony Isherwood, Vice Chairman of Dunavant Zambia Ltd (tony.isherwood@dunavant.co.zm).