Contrasts between Joint and Female-Headed Farm Households in Zambia

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Periodical article

Title:	Contrasts between Joint and Female-Headed Farm Households in Zambia
Authors:	Due, Jean M. White, Marcia
Year:	1986
Periodical:	Eastern Africa Economic Review
Volume:	2
Issue:	1
Period:	June
Pages:	94-98
Language:	English
Geographic term:	Zambia
Subjects:	female-headed households small farms Women's Issues Peoples of Africa (Ethnic Groups) Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Cultural Roles economics Family Life agriculture Sex Roles
Abstract:	This note contrasts differences in household size, acreage in crops and income earned between joint households (with husband and wife present) and female-headed farm households (widows, divorced or single families not receiving income from a husband working off the farm) in Zambia. It was ascertained that female-headed households with less family labour available plant much smaller acreages to different crops than joint households. With less labour available for crop production, they allocate more of that labour to opportunities for a higher return - beer brewing and selling small quantities of fruit and vegetables - than their joint household counterparts. Female-headed households are poorer and receive less extension services. Bibliogr.