While the Middle-Income Trap (MIT) has gained popularity in Europe, Asia and America in the past 15 years, little data exists about its impact on Africa. This is because, until recently, Africa had recorded minimal economic growth. However, since the year 2000, several African countries have recorded rapid economic growth to attain middle-income status, but very few have transitioned to high-income levels. This study aimed to establish Zambia's standing regarding the MIT. A unit root model was used to test for income convergence between Zambia and the United States of America (US). In line with the study model, income convergence is equivalent to the absence of unit root in the natural log difference in per capita income between the US and Zambia. The Augmented Dickey-Fuller, Phillips-Perron test which accounts for serial correlation and GLS detrended augmented Dickey-Fuller test were used to test for the unit root. All tests identified unit root indicating the lack of GDP per capita convergence between Zambia and the US. These results indicate Zambia is at a high risk of falling into MIT. To break from the MIT, Zambia should diversify its economy and shift from input led growth to growth based on economic efficiency. The lack of sustained economic growth in Zambia is due to 1) the inability to identify new growth drivers at the middle-income stage, 2) failure to institute the required political and institutional reforms to sustain growth at MIC level.

Milk production among the smallholder dairy farmers in Zambia is reported to be low despite improvements in milk collection infrastructure and unmet demand by the populace. This study was conducted to characterize cattle breeds and the breeding strategies of the smallholder dairy production system in the Southern province of Zambia. The study was conducted using questionnaires to obtain responses from identified respondents in six districts considered the main dairy cattle producing areas. One hundred and twenty questionnaires were administered and available for descriptive statistical analysis. The cattle genetic groups included local (Tonga and Angoni) breeds and their crosses (40.0%); beef (Boran and Brahman) breeds and their crosses (23.3%); Friesian breed and its crosses (28.8%); Jersey breed and its crosses (4.9%); and Fleckvieh breed (3.0%). Calving rate was found to be to be between 36% and 50% for the dairy herds.

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