Agribusiness firms in Zambia"s maize subsector : a review of their characteristics, constraints, and innovations

To answer this question, this study reviews marketing arrangements for the 1993-94 season and examines the principal characteristics of agribusiness firms in the sector, the constraints under which they operate, and their responses to changed market conditions. The study uses both subsector and case study approaches, examining individual firms and the relationships among the various participants in the maize marketing system. Agribusinesses covered include input distributors; large, small, and emerging farmers; grain dealers and marketing agents; transporters; millers; wholesalers and retailers of maize meal; feed processors; and breweries. The field research was conducted in July 1993 in the provinces of Lusaka, Central, Copperbelt, and Southern, which collectively produce about 60% of Zambia"s maize crop. The study concludes that the future of private agribusinesses in Zambia"s maize marketing system is promising provided there is continued policy dialogue and reform. Specifically suggested are efforts to improve public-private sector communication, strengthen laws that protect contract farming arrangements, increase access by small and emerging farmers to marketing information, upgrade farm storage facilities for small farmers, and permit large farmers to export maize. The study also recommends market extension programs, distribution of dehullers to small millers, speedy privatization of parastatal millers, and clarification of the government"s policy on marketing.