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Agriculture and Rural Development

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RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

INTRODUCTION

Zambia has a total surface area of 752,000 square kilometres of land mass fifty-eight percent of which is arable; currently only fourteen percent of the arable land is under cultivation. United Nations (2011:31)
Zambia experiences three weather seasons. The warm rainy season; this is between November and April; the cool dry season, this is between May and July and the hot dry season, which is between August and October. There is only one raining season and the agriculture sector in the country is dependent on rain. Hence there is only one planting season in Zambia.
Zambia has three (3) agro-ecological zones that are based on the physical and climatic conditions. Zone I accounts for about twelve percent of the country and has low altitude .It receives about 600-800mm rainfall annually. It comprises of subsistence farming of crops like sorghum and millet cultivated using mainly family labour using simple farm tools. Zone II covers forty-eight percent of the country. ‘Zone II receives about 800-1000mm rainfall annually. The farmers usually grow maize. This zone is most mechanised and consequently is the most commercialised in crop production. Crops mainly grown are cotton, wheat and soybeans. The country’s cash crops such as spices, flowers and fruits products are grown in this zone. Zone III makes up forty-two percent of the total land area. This has the highest rainfall in the country with an annual average of 12000 mm. This zone is similar to Zone I where subsistence farming is practised. Some of the crops grown include cassava, rice, soybeans and millet .Ministry of Agriculture (2004:1and 2)
Agriculture is the main economic activity in the rural areas. remains largely traditional and concentrated in the hands of smallholders and pastoralists,

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