Factors Affecting the Benefits of Baobab Plant: A Case of Kazungula District of Zambia

Abstract

There is very little information on the factors that influence the trade of baobab products and the basic market functioning factors predominantly hindering the smooth trade and commercialization of baobab products in the Kazungula district in Zambia. This study was carried out to analyze the factors affecting the trading of baobab products for improved marketing and sustainability of the trade in the Kazungula district. Purposive sampling was used to select the districts while snowballing technique was used in selecting the actors of the baobab trade. Findings show that the production factors (the price of seedlings, farm size, price of agrochemicals, expenditure on labour, and cost of irrigation and production) are among the factors that influence the production of baobab products since they are used as inputs in the baobab fruit production activities. Socio-economic and institutional factors also influence a farmer’s economic benefits. The socio-economic factors influence the efficiency of a farmer. The study’s policy recommendations are expected to play a feedback effect in improving profit efficiency and economic benefits of baobab fruits at all levels. Further, improved livelihoods and income levels are anticipated. This is anticipated to have a feedback effect on profit efficiency, institutional and socio-cultural factors through improved and informed use of inputs, the alteration of the current socio-cultural aspects of the rural farmers, and institutional services accessibility.

Keywords

• adansonia digitata
• baobab
• novel
• pulp
• velvet