This essay attempts to discuss the statement the government of Zambia collects food security information using a variety

of methods. Explain five of these methods, analyse the information and discuss advantages the government derives from the information. For effective presentation a definition of the major concepts is given in the first paragraph. This will be followed by a discussion of the assertion in the main paragraph. A conclusion is given in the final paragraph. Food security has been defined by many authors in different ways. FAO (1996) argues that food security exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life. On the other hand Frik, and Hennie, (2000) argues thatthe World Bank definition of food security namely access of all people at all times to enough food to have active, healthy life is very well known and is widely accepted. Both the Wo rld Bank and the entitlement approach focus essentially on the potential access of households to food. The World Bank regards the household as the smallest homogenously consumer unit that is relevant to economic policies, although its definition refers to the individual persons access to food. Maxwell S. (1991) however provides a broader definition of food security and explains that a country and its people can be regarded as being food secure if the existing food system functions well enough to remove the fear of food insecurities. According to Maxwell S. (1991), food security is achieved when the poor and vulnerable groups, specifically women and children, have definite access to secure food. This definition emphasises the availability of food and the capacity to obtain it as the essential elements of food security (Kuzwayo, 1994). There a number of sources that can be used to collect information on food security in a country. We shall discuss these in turn. Firstly, one way of collecting data on food security is through Household budget survey, abbreviated as HBS. This is a national survey focusing on households' expenditure on goods and services, giving a picture of living conditions in the country. It is carried out by

compiling weightings for important macroeconomic indicators, such as consumer price indices (used as measures of inflation) and national accounts. The data from the surveys is broken down by household characteristics, such as income, socio-economic characteristics, size and composition, degree of urbanisation, and region. Data collection involves a combination of one or more interviews and diaries or logs maintained by households and/or individuals, generally on a daily basis.
1

The basic unit of data collection and analysis in the surveys is the household. It is important to identify the reference person (often the head of the household) whose personal characteristics can be used in the classification and analysis of information on the household. The socio-economic group, occupation and employment status, income, sex and age of the reference person is often used to classify and present results. Expenditure made by households to acquire goods and services is recorded at the price actually paid, which includes indirect taxes (VAT and excise duties) borne by the purchaser (Barraclough, 1991). Probability sampling is used in the large majority of surveys. The high incidence of nonresponse is a common and major problem. HBS is a statistical survey performed to obtain data on expenditures for consumption, self-consumption and household income, and for basic socio-economic environment in which families live. The survey also provides data on some key indicators on living conditions (housing, possession of long term equipment in the family, conditions of heat, travel and/or annual holidays) as well as data on basic demographic, economic and social characteristics of the family. Data collected through HBS also provide information on living standards, the measure and the composition of total consumption and expenditure of families and their socio-economic characteristics. One of the specific objectives of the Household Budget Survey is to obtain necessary data for assessing the weight used to calculate the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Also, this survey provides data that will be used as an input for the measurement of private consumption in the National Accounts (NA) of families, as well as for analysis of welfare and poverty at the country level within the specified timeframe (ibid). In an ideal world the weight or volume and price data for the food items purchased by responding households in a HBS should also be recorded. However, this is not normally done, as it would substantially add to the amount of time required to process the data. weight and It volume is possible, data without however, to make use of the

compromising data processing time-lines by

selecting a representative sub-sample of responding households and recording the full item description, the product code, price and weight or volume information for the food items listed in their expenditure receipts. On the other hand another method used is the Post-Harvest Survey (PHS). This method is used by the Central Statistical Office through the Agriculture and Environment Statistics Division which conducts on annual basis sample surveys covering the Small and Medium
2

Scale Farms Sub-sector of Agriculture. Similarly, information on all Large-Scale Farm is collected during the same period when the Small and Medium Scale Farms survey is being undertaken. The data collection activities on Small, Medium and Large Scale Farms are usually undertaken during the months of October and November of each year (Corofon ,1997) The objectives of the Post-Harvest Survey (PHS) include: Provision of annual agricultural data that helps to facilitate comprehensive analysis of the agricultural sectors contribution to the national economy, on annual basis; Provision of actual figures pertaining to; Area planted to individual crops; Production quantities; Sales of produce and income realized; Purchase and use of agricultural inputs; Capital formation and other operational expenses; Demographic characteristics of heads of rural households; Farming practices and soil conservation methods used; Access to agricultural loans; and, Access to market prices information and agricultural extension services in general. Development of the Agricultural Statistics Management Information System (ASMIS) to a level such that it accommodates advances in information technology. Provision of annual agricultural data that is useful for generation of performance indicators to facilitate interventions by government, donors and NGOs. Confirmation compiled in related nationally-representative surveys using the same sample frame as the PHS for example find that in 2002-2003, the value of horticultural and animal product sales were each almost as high as the value of maize sales by the smallholder sector (www.zamstats.gov.zm). It is important to keep these data limitations in mind when trying to understand performance in the sector, particularly prior to 1990. It is likely that official production estimates increasingly underestimate true production to the extent that smallholders agricultural activities are increasingly dissimilar to the crops. The survey covers three categories of agricultural households namely; Small scale, Mediumscale and Large-scale farmers1. Small and Medium scale farmers are covered on a sample basis. A fixed number of 20 households are canvassed in each selected SEA. A total of 13,600 (such as 680 x 20) agricultural households are covered for the small & medium scale. The Large- scale farmers are captured under a separate sub-survey under the CFS on a 100%

enumeration basis. All entities cultivating more than 20 hectares of land and/or raising over 2,000 broiler chickens are classified as large scale farming holdings.

Crop Forecasting Survey (CFS) is yet another method used in food security information. This method obtains estimates from agricultural holdings on the area under major crops as well as production and sales estimates during the season. This information is used to assess the expected food security situation in the country and also to produce the National Food Balance Sheet (NFBS). The food balance sheet is used to determine the surplus or deficit situation of the country with respect to the major cereals and tubers produced in the country. Statistics generated from the survey are measurable for their accuracy, comparable across time as well as comparable between different countries within the region as it uses an internationally recognized methodology promoted by the Food and Agriculture Organization. The information collected using this method is crucial to Government as it creates room for strategic planning and decision making processes (www.zamstats.gov.zm). Some of the objectives of this method are; To provide statistics on the potential available marketable surplus for the major crops grown in the country To generate the annual National Food Balance Sheet, which gives the National Food Balance. To provide Government with reliable, empirical annual crop production statistics for the agricultural season. To provide production statistics used for estimation of the agricultural contribution to the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP) To provide public institutions the private sector and other stakeholders with National, Provincial and District level indicators of seasonal agricultural performance

The method also collects information on area planted for each crop, expected production and sales seed type, tillage method used, acquisition and usage of fertilizer. This information is based purely on farmer recall and estimation. The survey does not involve area measurement or direct field observation by the enumerator. No field visits are conducted. One of the reasons for relying on farmer recall and estimation is to reduce on measurement bias and error by the enumerator. While direct field observation by the enumerator also has significant cost implications which have generally not been commensurate with improvements in data
4

quality, loss of efficiency is avoided when the farmer recall method is used. Area expected to be harvested is also collected but is not used in the computation of yield. Only the area planted is used in yield computation. Yield is not calculated by the farmer but by the analysts at the data analysis stage. Yield is derived from quantity of expected production divided by the estimated area planted for each crop.

Nonetheless, it should be stressed here that although the supply of seasonal crops such as groundnuts, sweet potatoes, and squashes has declined, some households still have stocks of maize for their own consumption from last season. The excess supply of maize on the market in the current marketing season has resulted in lower prices for food purchasing households. Even in the localized areas of Western, Southern, and Lusaka provinces adversely affected by dry spells and floods in the last agricultural season, food security has remained mostly stable with no widespread acute food insecurity evident (www.zamstats.gov.zm)

CFS and PHS use the same sample frame and sample size (in excess of 6,000 households) but are based on different methods of generating production estimates. The CFS has typically been conducted before harvest, and is based on respondents ability to predict or forecast what their crop production is likely to be, based on crop conditions up to the point of the CFS interview. By contrast, the PHS is conducted after the harvest and is based on the respondents ability to recall what crop production and area were (ibid). Ideally, PHS data are considered to be more reliable than CFS data because they are based on realized production after the event and should form the basis for any concrete research and policy inferences. However, CFS estimates are normally higher than PHS estimates, the most probable reason being that PHS data excludes the large scale commercial sector. The differences also can be partly attributed to the fact that the two surveys do not always cover the same crops The other method of data collection is the Living Conditions and Monitoring Survey. In 1991, the Government of Zambia introduced the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) as the main developmental programme to reform the economy. It had its own successes and shortcomings. Some components of the programme such as privatisation were implemented at record pace. Others such as liberalization of agricultural marketing did not completely take root. A substantial segment of the population is still adversely affected by the cost of reforming the Zambian economy (GRZ, 2006). It is from this realisation that the Zambian
5

government and its cooperating partners decided to put in place a monitoring and evaluation mechanism in 1991, which was implemented through conducting the Social Dimensions of Adjustment Surveys (SDAs). These surveys were called Priority Surveys I and II (PSI and PSII). PSI was conducted in 1991 while PSII was conducted in 1993. These surveys evolved into the Living Conditions Monitoring Surveys (LCMS). The main objective an LCMS survey is to provide the basis for comparison of poverty estimates derived from cross-sectional survey. In addition, the survey provides a basis on which to Monitor the impact of government policies on the well-being of the Zambian population. Monitor the level of poverty and its distribution in Zambia. Identify vulnerable groups in society and enhance targeting in policy implementation.

The survey is a nationwide coverage on a sample basis and covered both rural and urban areas in all the ten provinces. It is designed to provide data for each and every district in Zambia. A sample size of about 1048 SEAs and approximately 20,000 households is drawn (www.zamstats.gov.zm) The sampling frame used for LCMS survey was developed from the 2000 census of population and housing. The country is administratively demarcated into 10 provinces, which are further divided into districts. The districts are further subdivided into constituencies, which are also divided into wards. Wards consist of Census Supervisory Areas (CSA), which are further subdivided into Standard Enumeration areas (SEAs). For the purposes of this survey, SEAs constituted the ultimate Primary Sampling Units (PSUs). Data collection is done by way of personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to collect information on the various aspects of the living conditions of the households. However, data collection is done by way of personal interviews using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire is designed to collect information on the various aspects of the living conditions of the households (ibid). On the other hand another method of data collection is Food, Health and Nutrition Information Survey (FHNIS) as a method that government uses to collect food security information. This method of study is designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in a country. This method is unique in that it combines interviews and
6

physical examinations (Kuzwayo, 1994).

Survey interviews include; socioeconomic,

dietary, demographic and health-related questions. The examination component consists of medical, dental, and physiological measurements as well as laboratory tests administered by highly trained medical personnel. Reveals from this survey help to determine the prevalence of major diseases and risk factors for diseases. Hence information obtained is used to assess nutritional status and its association with health promotion and disease prevention (ibid). The findings are also the basis for national standards for such measurements as blood pressure, height, weight among others. Data from this survey is further used in epidemiological studies and health sciences research which help develop sound public health policy, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the Nation. CONCLUSION In summary, this essay was an attempt to discuss the statement the government of Zambia collects food security information using a variety of methods governments have a huge task to ensure that it maintains food security at all levels. As evident, there are various methods that can be employed to collect information on food security. These methods have their own merits and demerits. Government uses this information for policy making such as due to the importance of the subject at hand, there is need to improve the methods for data collection as the use of these data has economic importance.

References Barraclough, S.L (1991). An End to Hunger? The Social Origins of Food Strategies. London: Zed Books.

Corofon (1997).

Voedselzekerheid en Ontwinkelingsaman-Werking. Dan Hang: Ministerie Van Buitenlandse. Zaken.

Frik D. and Hennie, S. (2000).

Introduction to Development Studies. South Africa: Oxford University Press.

GRZ (2006).

Fifth National Development Plan. Lusaka: Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

Isimwaa, M. (2008).

Food Security Vol. 1. Lusaka: ZAOU.

Kuzwayo, P. (1994).

Household Food Security. Welsynstokens/Welfare Focus, 29.

Maxwell, S. (1991).

To Cure All Hunger, Food Policy and Food Security in Sudan. London: International Technology Publications.

Vandana D. and Robert, B.P (2008). A Companion to Development Studies. Great Britain: Hodder Education.

www.zamstats.gov.zm accessed on 6th October, 2013