Activities Chapter 3


 Activity 3-3
 Measuring Food Production Variability


The table below shows yearly data for maize and sugar production in Zambia. Using a
spreadsheet programme on a computer, graph the series. Calculate the mean and coefficient
of variation of the data. Calculate the time trend in the data using regression analysis, and
then the variation around the regression line.


 MT
Year Maize Sugar Year Maize Sugar
1968 780000 21508 1981 1007280 102319
1969 780000 30417 1982 750240 117058
1970 650000 40131 1983 935280 132000
1971 927938 41546 1984 871740 141231
1972 1143340 51118 1985 1122350 143181
1973 873632 58185 1986 1230590 119263
1974 1146360 64550 1987 1063450 129850
1975 1483130 85058 .1988 1943220 135845
1976 1641990 84150 1989 1844980 143287
1977 1607920 71340 1990 1092670 134788
1978 1380940 73450 1991 1095910 135000
1979 877759 102148 1992 483492 156000
1980 937266 110601_


What, if any, are the policy implications of your results, in terms of national
food security?


and household


 Activity 3-4
 Developing a Food Security Monitoring System

Using your knowledge of your own country, identify appropriate indicators for inclusion in a
food security monitoring system. Are these indicators already being collected? Prioritise the
information you have suggested, giving reasons.


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