International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Martin Chabu (MA-History)1, Kasebula Francis (PhD)2
1Senior Lecturer-Social Science Department
David Livingstone College of Education
Livingstone, Zambia
2Senior Lecturer- Special Education/Guidance and Counseling
David Livingstone College of Education
Livingstone, Zambia
Abstracts: The study attempts to discuss the performance and effects of farming co-operatives after liberalisation in Eastern Province of Zambia, 1992-2002. The study also discusses the impact of liberalisation policy on farming co-operatives in Eastern Province. The data collection method was remark favorably on by information from written materials, which includes published and unpublished sources such as articles in journals, books, thesis and dissertations from University of Zambia Repository. Oral interviews were conducted from notable figures who once worked with the co-operatives. The liberalisation of agricultural co-operatives and marketing was expected to provide incentives for the participation of the private sector, with consequences of competitive marketing benefiting smallholder farmers through better marketing arrangements and higher prices. The study determines that liberalization of agriculture co-operatives in Eastern Province had been positive for consumer and private traders. However, there have been a deleterious experience for many farmers and this mistreated agricultural progress during a period 1991-2002, as compared to the UNIP government when co-operatives were fully funded and controlled by government. The findings also suggest that peasant, particularly, the poor were the main losers through unfair trading practices and influence of private traders, and lack of reliable markets for agricultural produce and inputs.
Key words: Co-operative, Liberalisation, Agriculture, Marketing, Trader,
I. INTRODUCTION
The colonial government restructured the development of co-operatives in terms of the need to meet world demand for raw materials and as a strategy to develop African agriculture in particular and to encourage rural development in general. These approaches were still encouraged immediately after independence in 1964, when the United National Independence Party (UNIP) government continued to embark on active promotion of co-operatives throughout the country. Further, the co-operative movement represented a framework through which the colonial government increased