Minimum tillage uptake and uptake intensity by smallholder farmers in Zambia

Minimum tillage has been promoted for about two decades as a way to conserve soils and to increase agricultural productivity in Zambia and sub-Saharan Africa. However, the extent of its uptake by smallholder farmers remains debatable. This paper assesses factors influencing the uptake and uptake intensity of minimum tillage, using large household survey data for the period 2010 to 2014 in Zambia. We apply double-hurdle models to account for corner solution outcomes resulting from the limited uptake of minimum tillage. Less than 5% and 10% of smallholders used minimum tillage per year as the main tillage method at the national level and in the top 10 districts with the highest use rates respectively. Low seasonal rainfall and being in districts where minimum tillage has been promoted for over 10 years increase the likelihood of minimum tillage uptake and uptake intensity, but not for all its components. These results have implications for targeting future programmes aimed at promoting minimum tillage