The head, usually although not always a man, has the right to the labour of the other members of the household. Whilst all members of the household are involved in the decision making about how the land belonging to the members is used, the head of the household will control maize production. The amount of maize that a household grows is a measure of the status in the community. Everyone in the household will devote considerable time to the production of maize. Only after they have done this can they use their time to work on their own fields.
Sweet potatoes are a popular choice to complement the maize crop.
In the droughts that periodically affect the region shortages of food put the family on the brink of survival. In most other years, even if there is no drought, the maize crop is insufficient to feed the household. Family members must look for other ways of survival. Other options for raising money to purchase grain include such activities as selling their livestock, beer brewing, producing and selling traditional crafts, selling of wild foods and producing and selling charcoal and firewood. Increasingly the household must rely on food relief, either from the government or from Non Governmental Organisations.