Determinants of Relief Seed Use and Crop Productivity among Vulnerable Households in Zimbabwe

The study quantifies factors affecting use of relief maize seed and implications on productivity in Zimbabwe. It uses Tobit and multiple regression models to analyze data collected from relief recipient households in 2010. Regression analysis showed that time of seed receipt, land area, rainfall and hybrid seed had strong influence on relief seed utilization rates. This underscores the need for timely input distribution before the onset of the rainy season. Rainfall, basal fertilizers, use of hybrid seed and conservation agriculture were significant in increasing relief maize yield. These results are consistent with the current thrust on the green revolution for Africa, centered on promoting increased fertiliser use, conservation of soil and water and modern varieties as interventions for increasing agricultural productivity in Africa. Increased policy efforts should be placed on increasing access to hybrid maize seed and fertilizers as well as promoting conservation agriculture.