Assessing The Effectiveness of Constituency Development Fund in Enhancing Project Performance on Farming Cooperatives: A Case of Two Selected Farming Cooperatives in Mufulira District, Zambia

Chilufya Chileshe and Kasonde Mundende
Additional contact information
Chilufya Chileshe: Graduate School of Business, University of Zambia
Kasonde Mundende: Kwame Nkrumah University

African Journal of Commercial Studies, 2026, vol. 7, issue 2

Abstract: This study assessed the effectiveness of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in enhancing project performance among farming cooperatives in Mufulira District, Zambia. The objectives were to describe the role of CDF in supporting farming cooperatives, assess challenges faced in accessing the fund, and evaluate measures implemented to improve access. A mixed-methods approach was adopted within a pragmatic research paradigm, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions involving cooperative members, CDF Committee members, Ward Development Committee members, and municipal officials. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Findings reveal that CDF plays a significant role in supporting agricultural development through provision of inputs, livestock support, infrastructure, and training. However, access remains uneven due to bureaucratic procedures, delayed disbursement, limited information dissemination, and political influence. Statistical results indicate a moderate positive relationship between CDF funding and cooperative welfare, with support measures emerging as the strongest predictor. The study concludes that while CDF contributes to rural empowerment and cooperative development, its effectiveness is constrained by institutional and administrative challenges. It recommends increasing funding allocation, simplifying application procedures, strengthening capacity building, and enhancing transparency in fund management.

Keywords: Constituency Development Fund; Farming Cooperatives; Project Performance; Mufulira District; Agricultural Development; Decentralization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: H72 O18 Q13 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ijcsacademia.com/index.php/journal/article/view/499

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cwk:ajocsk:2026-47

DOI: 10.59413/ajocs/v7.i2.29

Access Statistics for this article

More articles in African Journal of Commercial Studies from African Journal of Commercial Studies
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Dr. Charles G. Kamau ().