Overview of the Current Food Security Crisis in Zambia

Helen M Samatebele
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Helen M Samatebele: Program Against Malnutrition - Program Against Malnutrition

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Abstract: Zambia was economically prosperous at independence (1964), due to the thriving copper industry. Zambia has the potential to expand agricultural production. However, it is estimated that only 14% of total agricultural land is currently being utilized. Agriculture generates about 22% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides direct livelihood to more than 50% of the population. The agricultural sector employs 67% of the labor force and it is the main source of income and provides employment for women who make up 65% of the rural population. The sector is currently the main stay of the rural economy. Zambia is one of the countries in the southern Africa sub-region faced with a food crisis attributed to a complex combination of unfavorable weather pattern, poor health standards and unfavorable socio-economic conditions and high prevalence of HIV/AIDS. The current crisis has been further compounded by reduced food production in the last two consecutive seasons (2000/2001 and 2001/2002) resulting in the country experiencing substantial deficits of the staple food.

Keywords: Zambia; food security (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2003-03-18
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-00793124
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

Published in Food Security in Southern Africa. Causes and Responses from the Region, Mar 2003, Pretoria, South Africa. p. 89-108

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