Small-scale farmers in Zambia can make more profit from using fertilizer on maize if they get it on time and use animal or mechanical power for land preparation. Being closer to provincial centers also helps increase profitability, as long distances and transport costs can reduce it. Farmers who want money quickly may find fertilizer use less profitable. So, even if fertilizer can boost crop yields in some areas, farmers may not make much money from it unless transportation costs and interest rates are lowered and fertilizer delivery is more timely.