Farmers Preferentially Allocate More Land to Cultivation of Conventional White Maize Compared to Weevil-Resistant Biofortified Orange Maize

Smith G. Nkhata (), Finason Watson, Monica Chimbaza, Sydney Namaumbo, Kondwani Kammwamba, Gift Chisapo, Theresa Nakoma Ngoma, Madalitso Chilembo and Limbikani Matumba
Additional contact information
Smith G. Nkhata: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Finason Watson: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Monica Chimbaza: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Sydney Namaumbo: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Kondwani Kammwamba: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Gift Chisapo: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Theresa Nakoma Ngoma: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Madalitso Chilembo: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi
Limbikani Matumba: Department of Agriculture and Food Systems, Faculty of Life Sciences and Natural Resources, Natural Resources College, Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Lilongwe P.O. Box 143, Malawi

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 19, 1-11

Abstract: The successful translation of biofortified orange maize (BOM) to a staple household food is dependent on farmers’ ability to cultivate and subsequently utilize it. In this study, we assessed farmers’ allocation of their land to the cultivation of BOM and conventional white maize (CWM) varieties in districts where the AFIKEPO Nutrition Program is implemented in Malawi. The results showed that farmers were skeptical of allocating more land to the cultivation of BOM. CWM was allocated significantly more land (1.75 ± 0.51 acres) than BOM (1.12 ± 0.32 acres) ( p < 0.001) in all districts. More farmers (87.9%) allocated less than 1 acre to BOM cultivation. The cost of seeds did not explain the preference for CWM, as the price of seeds in Malawi Kwacha was similar for both maize types ( p = 0.742). Consequently, the average number of bags (50 kg maize grains/bag) harvested was significantly lower (mean: 6.48 ± 8.27 bags; median: 4 bags) for BOM than for CWM (mean: 23.11 ± 20.54 bags; median: 17 bags). Interestingly, BOM was found to be more resistant to weevils during post-harvest storage, suggesting the potential for improved food and nutrition security for households. The knowledge of high grain resistance to weevils did not influence farmers to cultivate more BOM. This has the potential to negatively affect maize biofortification as an effective strategy to alleviate vitamin A deficiency (VAD) in developing countries. Farmers should be sensitized to identify the benefits of BOM so that they are willing to purchase seeds and grow BOM on a larger scale. Coupled with its higher resistance to storage weevils, superior taste, and nutrient content, the continued cultivation and consumption of BOM has the potential to contribute to the achievement of both food and nutrition security within communities.

Keywords: biofortified orange maize (BOM); weevils; land allocation; AFIKEPO (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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