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This paper studies the effects of a multifaceted asset transfer programme on the decision-making dynamics of smallholder households. Constructing separate indexes of participation in household decision-making for adult females and males, and using difference-in-differences to assess the impact of livestock transfer and training, we find evidence that these interventions increased the share of decisions in which individuals participated, regardless of gender. Increases in decision-making participation by both men and women are driven by an increase in joint decision-making within the household on the extensive margin. Decisions made jointly by men and women increased by 16 per cent across all household activities, with statistically significant declines in independent decision-making by men and women. Findings are encouraging given the evidence of welfare gains associated both with increases in participation in decision-making by women as well as increased cooperation within households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Analyses of the impacts of asset transfer programs often find statistically significant effects on consumption expenditures that are large in percentage terms but small in absolute value. This study explores the practical significance of such impacts using the case of a livestock transfer program among impoverished households in Zambia. As in other studies, results show that the asset transfers increased household consumption expenditure and dietary diversity. Extending previous work, this paper examines whether the increase in expenditures has been large enough to trigger changes in consumption patterns or in subjective assessment of poverty status. Changes in composition of expenditures, composition of diet, and subjective self-assessment of poverty all suggest a growing sense of security and a practically significant change in welfare for treated households. As transfers included three different types of animals – dairy cows, meat goats, and draft cattle – we are able to discern that the specific nature of the asset transferred influences food security impacts. Examination of change in the composition of consumption shows substantial effects on poverty and food security starting within six months of livestock transfers. Persistence of the impact through the next 18 months of our study period indicates that livestock transfers can have a sustained effect on poverty and food security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Smallholder livestock ownership has potential to enhance food security by raising incomes of the poor and by increasing the availability of nutrient-dense foods. This paper exploits the staggered rollout of livestock distribution by Heifer International in Zambia to identify the effects of livestock using statistically similar treatment and control groups in a balanced panel of households. Results indicate that livestock ownership improves dietary diversity through both direct consumption of animal products produced on farm and through increased consumption expenditures. Further results indicate that expanded livestock ownership alters the local food economy to influence food consumption by households lacking farm animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]