A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF DEVELOPMENT STUDIES IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR AWARD OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURAL AND APPLIED ECONOMICS LILONGWE UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES BUNDA CAMPUS. Advisors: Prof. Abdi-Khalil Edriss, Dr. Horace Phiri, Dr. Donald Makoka