Farmer Input Support Programme And The Impact Of HIV And AIDS On Maize Production In Kaputa District, Zambia

This study was to understand how the Farmer Input Support Programme was assisting HIV and AIDS affected households in maize production and to identify the key factors hindering them from accessing the maize inputs in Kaputa district. The study focus ed on the farmer input support programme, the impact of AIDS on livelihood assets, the current maize production and household coping mechanisms. A case study among 20 households was conducted. The Farmer Input Support Programme had no effect on the HIV and AIDS affected households. Increased expenditure due to HIV and AIDS related illness and death, stigma and reduced labour due to loss of economically active adults were some of the factors hindering accessibility to the maize inputs. The households also lost productive assets to meet medical expenses and food requirements after the impact of the pandemic. The impact of AIDS also increased the workload of women who were already burdened with maize production by adding on the role of care giving. It was recommended to strengthen local seed systems that support low cost maize seed out-grower schemes, target affected households with alternative low cost soil fertility technologies to substitute fertilisers, form more nutritious and less labour intensive input packs and breed earlier maturing varieties to reduce their time spent in the fields.