The successful development and diffusion of improved maize seed in Zambia during the 1970s–80s was a major achievement of African agriculture but was predicated on a government commitment to parastatal grain and seed marketing, the provision of services to maize growers, and a pan-territorial...

Over the last decade, governments in eastern and southern Africa have become increasingly involved in grain marketing via strategic reserves and marketing boards. Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Zambia all have one or both of these entities, and their level of involvement in...

During the first quarter of 2008, the nominal prices of major food items have reached their highest level in nearly 50 years, while prices reached their actual level record in nearly 30 years. Indeed, prices of agricultural products rose sharply in 2006 and 2007 reported an increase more marked...