Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Legume Systems Research

KSU-1, Pulse Value Chain Initiative—Zambia.

Kansas State University as lead university           

Pulse Value Chain Initiative—Zambia (PVCI-Z)

U.S. PIs & Institutions and Collaborating Host Countries

Lead U.S.:
Vincent Amanor-Boadu Department of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University, Manhattan,Kansas

Gelson Tembo, University of Zambia
Mukwiti Mwiinga, University of Zambia
Prisilla Hamukwala, University of Zambia
Rebecca Lubinda, University of Zambia
Tim Dalton, KSU, U.S.
Allen Featherstone, KSU, U.S.
Mahmud Yesuf, KSU, U.S.

Objectives:

1. Identify the different supply chains used by the Zambian pulse industry and describe the characteristics of those using them at the different loci of the supply chains.
2. Identify and estimate the effects of stakeholder characteristics and operational environment on supply chain participation decisions. 
3. Describe and estimate the pecuniary and non-pecuniary value for different supply chain participants.
4. Identify the institutional and policy issues influencing value creation and determine if any effect differences exist by crop, location, gender and stage of the chain.
5. Based on the results from the foregoing, develop and deliver education and outreach programs targeting specific stakeholders and provide policy recommendations to facilitate solutions.

Problem Statement:

Pulses are important in concentrated locations in Zambia. Zambian Central Statistics Office (CSO) data show that cowpeas and beans are grown in all Zambian provinces, the top four producing provinces account for about 83 percent of total output for each of these crops. While the Northern Province accounted for the majority of bean production (62 percent), Southern Province accounted for the majority (58 percent) of cowpea production. The remainder of the top-four producing provinces for beans includes Northwestern (8 percent); Central (7 percent); and Luapala (6 percent). For cowpeas, the remainder of the top-four producing provinces is: Central (11 percent); Northern (9 percent); and Lusaka (6 percent). Despite this concentration, pulses are also important to the Zambian food economy because of its drought tolerance and its income enhancement potential.

Target Outputs:

• Recruit six 5^th-year undergraduate students for June 2010 for completion in April 2011

• Recruit four MS students in June 2010 to being their research on beans and/or cowpeas immediately. They are not expected to complete their studies within this work plan period.
• Report on the structure, conduct and performance situation in the Zambian pulse industry, addressing the following:
  (a) The different supply chains used by the Zambian pulse producers and a description of the characteristics of those using them
  (b) The effects of stakeholder characteristics and operational environment on their choice of supply chains 
  (c) A description of the types of pecuniary and non-pecuniary value identified by supply chain stakeholders and their monetary value to provide an estimate of total value in the supply chains and their distribution
  (d) The institutional and policy issues that influence value creation in the Zambian pulse industry and the extent of differences resulting from the stage of the operation (farm, trader, end-user), region, and gender
(e) Gaps in stakeholder knowledge about value creation in supply chains and the solutions developed to address these gaps, including education and policy recommendations