Work

Poverty and yield effects of CGIAR maize varieties in smallholder farming systems of Zambia

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Improved germplasm is a recognized adaptation strategy to climate change. We assessed the adoption, and impacts of CGIAR maize varieties on livelihoods in Zambia using fixed effects regression and a difference‐in‐differences framework. Three‐waves of nationally representative panel data indicate that 24% of smallholders used CGIAR germplasm on about 225,000 hectares in 2019. Relative to other non‐CGIAR maize varieties, the use of CGIAR maize varieties was associated with 26–35% yield increase, and 2–10% reduction in the depth of poverty on average. Thus, while improved varieties can increase crop productivity effectively, they are not substitutes for broad‐based poverty reduction strategies.

Source: Journal of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

DOI: 10.1002/jaa2.70007

Authors: Hambulo Ngoma, Peter Setimela, João Vasco Silva, Vijesh V. Krishna

Institution: International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center

Language: English

Topic: Agricultural Innovations and Practices

Subfield: General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDGs: No poverty, Zero hunger, Climate action

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500