Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Policies and Farming Co-Operatives in Eastern and Southern Province of Zambia, 1947-64

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume IV, Issue VII, July 2020 | ISSN 2454–6186

Comparative Analysis of Agricultural Policies and Farming Co-Operatives in Eastern and Southern Province of Zambia, 1947-64

Martin Chabu
David Livingstione College of Education, Zambia

Abstract:-This study examines a comparative analysis of agricultural policy on the farming co-operatives in Eastern and Southern Province of Zambia, 1947-64. It does this by assessing factors influencing formation of co-operatives in colonial government of Northern Rhodesia (Zambia) and why it was important and necessary to have co-operatives for marketing African produce. This study further brings out the contributions and impact of co-operatives had on the peasant economy and the nation at large in promoting food security. It also reviews challenges that co-operatives encountered in its quest of promoting rural development. Data was collected by means of a qualitative approach using unpublished, published and oral sources which were also consulted. The findings were analyzed strongly and points to the important role that farming co-operatives societies have played on agricultural development in rural areas. This is clearly reflected in the differential performance in farming co-operative activities and the socio-economic attributes of members and non-members. The results indicated a marked difference among categories in terms of access to agriculture inputs, knowledge, and technology acquisition of material. There was an advantage in the membership of the co-operative than non-members and this boosted agricultural development thereby, offering a viable channel to peasants to come out of vicious cycle of rural poverty.

I. THE RESEARCH IN PERSPECTIVE

Background

Agriculture is the main occupation and a source of live hood for most of the rural inhabitants and much of their farming system remain substance in nature. Consequently agriculture development has been a major concern among the policy makers. This concern aims at fostering increase agricultural production. Since the colonial period co-operatives have been identified as one way in which to achieve increased production and rise rural standards of living. Improve production in intended not only to meet the need of the rural people but also to feed the fast growing population.
According to Aimley (1982) states that co-operative remain the hope of the country by offering social and economic participation at the grass root level. Co-operatives have played important roles in the Zambian economy but their impact in the economic development may be difficult to assess. The co-operative movement has enjoyed direct encouragement and protection of government through good policies and incentive schemes.

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