Labor use patterns for the production of maize in Southern Zaire

Abstract

This paper focuses on the use of labor in the production of maize in South-Central Zaire. In this area. as in other parts of Zaire. additional communal lands are available to many farmers. and land availability is usually not viewed as a constraint to expanding production. Farm size is relatively small, however, and in the absence of significant mechanization. the quantity of labor available and how it is used become significant factors in determining the amount of land farmed, the timing of various cultural practices, and ultimately, how much maize and other crops are produced. Two considerations make this paper of interest. The first is the data themselves which describe which family members engage in which tasks related to maize production, use of hired labor, off-farm. work, periods of labor shortage, etc. The second is the question of the importance of labor constraints in limiting maize production