Maize technology in Malawi: A green revolution in the making?
1995
Heisey, P.W. | Smale, M.
This case study of technical change in maize production in Malawi seeks to answer the question of whether the diffusion of improved maize seed and fertilizer among Malawian smallholder farmers will create the sharp yield gains commonly associated with "green revolutions." An assessment of Malawi's reliance on maize as a staple food and of the resource base for maize production is followed by a discussion of how demand for maize research has been shaped by the structure of Malawi's agricultural economy and by the cultural significance of traditional flint maize varieties. The authors describe maize production technologies currently available to farmers and explore the implications of recent changes in smallholders production practices and the potential yield gains to be achieved from changes in technology. Although recent diffusion of seed-fertilizer technology has been encouraging, aggregate level yield increases are not yet observable. The report concludes by discussing future directions for maize research and the impact that such research might realistically be expected to have on Malawian agriculture. Continuity in funding and staffing is essential to further research progress, and institutional and policy support are necessary for transferring research gains to farmer's fields.
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