Costs and returns of the crop-cattle system in the Western Province of Zambia

Abstract

The costs and returns were analyzed per herd (N = 50), and their distribution among families and the relation to other farm and off-farm income were assessed. Cattle sales, ploughing by oxen, the increase in cattle numbers and milk production appeared to be the most important returns (26, 21, 19 and 16 % of total gross returns, respectively). Local slaughter, manure and ox-power for transport played a minor role. The calculated costs were about a third of the gross returns. The net economic efficiency was calculated at US$ 1.4 per ha per year. The kraal keeper's household (KKH), who owned 60 % of the herd, accrued 64 % from the total gross returns, incurred 73 % of total costs and accrued 58 % of the net returns. Average net returns to the KKH from cattle keeping, crops, sales of other farm produce and off-farm income were 50, 31, 6 and 13 % of the total household income, respectively. The results have shown that the role of draught-power and animal sales could be improved.