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Home Field Trips Rural Life and Agriculture Tour Introduction to Non-traditional Agriculture

Non-Traditional Farm - Lusaka

Introduction to Non-traditional Agriculture

Next issue - Vulnerability to Market Conditions >>

You are going to be taken to a very different type of farm for your fourth visit of the agriculture tour. You are visiting the farm of Mtumbe who leases a smallholding of 2 hectares on the outskirts of Lusaka, the capital of Zambia. However when you get out the car you do not see maize growing but greenhouses in which roses are being grown.

Non Traditional Agriculture

Amongst the small scale farms in Zambia are some that have decided to diversify into new and non-traditional crops. Maize production has proven to be very influenced by the weather conditions. In times of drought maize is particularly badly effected. Zambian entrepreneurs have looked for alternative crops that will yield a good return and are less vulnerable. Some, like Mtumbe have noted that the prices that flowers fetch in the international markets are attractive and have invested in facilities to grow flowers.

Currently his business is surviving however he does not have the capital or the same degree of financial backing as the larger commercial farms and estates have. He does not enjoy the varied internal economies of scale that large organisations can. He is able to obtain a limited amount of overseas development assistance however most of his investment must come from his earnings from sales and loans that he can obtain from the commercial banks and some microfinancing. His existence is vulnerable to changes in the market for flowers.

Next issue - Vulnerability to Market Conditions >>

Related Glossary Items:
Cash crops
Primary products

Related issues:
Microfinance