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

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 Data was collected by means of a qualitative approach using unpublished, published and oral sources which were also consulted.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.