2. PROJECT OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

The objectives of the project were as follows:

• To test the usefulness of the prototype post-production framework analysis, and provide recommendations for its improvement;
• To assess the post-production constraints affecting maize and cassava in Kalomo, Kaoma, Chibombo, Mkushi and Mansa Districts, with a view to analysing constraints and identifying opportunities for their resolution;
• To formulate strategies that will help to resolve constraints identified during the study.

The project was conducted in two phases. Phase I (May - June 1997) was a baseline study undertaken by a three-person team of national consultants in post-harvest technology, economics and sociology. In Phase II, the national consultants were joined by a three-person team of counterpart international consultants. Field testing of the framework was carried out during a six-week period in July and August 1997.

The baseline study included a literature review and field visits to the five selected districts. During the preparatory mission it was recognised that, because of time constraints, one district might have to be omitted from the main study. This was indeed the case and it was decided to omit Mkushi District since the farming systems there are similar to those in Chibombo District.

The FAO analytical framework was used as the reference document for conducting the analysis. The framework identifies five major steps in the analytical process:

1. Country analysis and role of food production
2. Economic and institutional analysis of the marketing chain
3. Actor analysis and social context
4. Analysis of constraints and bottlenecks
5. Appropriateness of technical interventions by operation and agro-ecological zone.

For each step, the information needed to complete the analysis is listed. Step 4, Analysis of constraints and bottlenecks, concerns the appraisal of the post-production sector and five major areas of concern have been identified:

1. Interruptions or imperfections in the chain of operations before food reaches its destination.
2. Access to resources.
3. Acceptability of innovations.
4. Affordability of innovations.
5. Appropriateness of public policy, service delivery, collective institution and action.

Checklists of the main issues to be analysed are given for each of these areas, and it is intended that the information in the checklists be transferred into questionnaires, drawn up to suit the particular area or country under analysis.

A brief period of desk study was spent in Lusaka reviewing the baseline study reports prepared by the national consultants, selected published and grey literature. Meetings were held with key officials in a number of public and private sector organisations in Lusaka including: the Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries (MAFF), the Food Conservation and Storage Unit (FCSU) of the Mount Makulu Research Station, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), Zambia Co-operative Federation (ZCF), and the Zambia Farmers Co-operative Society (ZFCS).

Field survey visits were made to four districts (Kalomo, Chibombo, Kaoma and Mansa). Discussions were held with Provincial, District and Field Officers of MAFF, officers working with the SPFS, District Planning Officers, representatives of Provincial and District Co-operatives, NGOs, personnel associated with on-going donor-assisted agricultural projects, farmers, traders and millers.

Information was gathered from various actors in the post-production system using a number of rapid appraisal techniques including:

• semi-structured interviews with selected heads of farm households and small groups of farmers
• informal group discussions with farmers, women’s groups and clubs, and farmer associations
• informal group discussions with grain traders
• semi-structured interviews with grain traders and millers
• interviews with key informants at provincial, district and field level
• direct observation of post-production operations

The experiences of the mission in applying the framework are given in Annex 1.