Exploration of Agriculture Cooperative Enterprising Performance in Kabwe District, Zambia

Mukwalikuli Mundia, Chewe Nkonde, Francis Simui, Joseph Imasiku

Agriculture; Cooperative Enterprise; Performance; Kabwe District; Zambia.

In this study, we explored agriculture cooperative enterprising performance in Kabwe District. A qualitative approach was applied and four agricultural cooperatives were selected using stratified purposive sampling namely; Bantu agricultural cooperative, Mulungushi agricultural cooperative, Kasosolo agricultural cooperative and Katobo agriculture cooperative. The sample size comprised of the Senior Cooperative and Enterprise Development Officer, the District Cooperative and Enterprise Development Officer, Cooperative and Enterprise Development Inspector, 4 headmen in the localities of study, Four Agricultural Camp Officers and Cooperative Board Members of each of the four cooperatives. The specific objectives for this study were; (i) to establish cooperative enterprise performance in Kabwe District (ii) to explore the challenges faced by the agriculture cooperatives in Kabwe District. The findings of the study indicated that; there is poor cooperative enterprise performance in Kabwe District, as the majority of them are defunct. The study revealed that, the reasons behind the poor performance of agriculture cooperative in Kabwe District are; Lack of cooperative trainings, lack of Cooperative Inspection, shortage/inadequate number of cooperatives staff, lack of logistical support to the department and limited assistance of resources to the agricultural cooperatives. Thus, the study recommended that; the government needed to improve logistical support to the department of cooperatives, so that cooperative training and inspection can be enhanced. The government should also consider revising the cooperative staff structure at district level by increasing the numbers from two.

https://doi.org/10.31871/WJRR.15.3.5