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
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59413/ajocs/v7.i2.29Keywords:
Constituency Development Fund, Farming Cooperatives, Project performance, Mufulira District, Agricultural development, DecentralizationAbstract
This study assessed the effectiveness of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in enhancing project performance among farming cooperatives in Mufulira District, Zambia. The main objectives were (i) to describe the role of CDF in supporting farming cooperatives, (ii) to assess challenges faced by cooperatives in accessing the fund, and (iii) to evaluate measures implemented to enhance access to CDF. A mixed-methods approach was employed. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews with key informants, and focus group discussions with cooperative members within a pragmatic research paradigm, combining quantitative and qualitative techniques. A total of 80 respondents participated in this study from Suruga Women’s Club and Twikatane Multi-Purpose Cooperative; CDF Committee members; Ward Development Committee members; and Mufulira Municipal Council officials. Quantitative data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis using SPSS. The ANOVA results indicated a statistically significant difference among groups (F = 5.87, p = 0.004). Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. The main findings revealed that it played an important role in supporting agricultural development through the provision of agricultural inputs, livestock support, infrastructure, and training initiatives. Access to the fund remains uneven due to bureaucratic procedures, delayed disbursement, limited information dissemination, and political influence in project selection. Correlation results showed a moderate positive relationship between CDF funding and cooperative welfare (r = 0.44, p = 0.018), while regression analysis identified support measures as the strongest predictor of cooperative welfare (β = 0.46, p = 0.008). The study concludes that while CDF contributes to cooperative development and rural empowerment, its effectiveness remains moderate due to institutional and administrative challenges. It recommends increased allocation of CDF resources to farming cooperatives, simplification of application procedures, strengthening of capacity-building initiatives, and improved transparency in fund management.
Downloads
References
Adesina, A. (2010). Community Participation in Development Projects.
Asian Development Bank. (1995). Benefit monitoring and evaluation assistance in the Philippines. Asian Development Bank.
Awiti, A. (2008). The role of Constituency Development funds in Kenya.
Ayele, Z. (2019). Public accountability in local development projects: The case of Constituency development funds. Development Studies Journal, 15 (3), 67–80.
Bagaka, O. (2008). Fiscal decentralisation in Kenya: The Constituency Development Fund and the growth of government. Department of Political Science, Northern Illinois University.
Baskin, M. (2010). Constituency Development Funds as a tool for development. Centre for International Development.
Binswanger-Mkhize, H. P., de Regt, J. P., & Spector, S. (2019). Local and community driven development: Moving to scale in theory and practice. World Bank Publications.
Blavatnik School of Government. (2022). Constituency Development Fund in Zambia: Policy brief. University of Oxford.
Bryman, A. (2008). Social research methods (4th Ed.). Oxford University Press.
Burki, S. J., Perry, G. E., & Dillinger, W. R. (1991). Beyond the centre: Decentralizing the state. World Bank Publications.
CAP. (2008). Constituency Development Fund: Accountability and transparency.
Caritas Zambia. (2011). Constituency Development Fund report. Caritas Zambia.
Casey, K., Rodriguez, A. F., Sacchetto, C., & Wani, S. (2021). Zambia’s constituency development fund: Policy considerations, Policy paper. International Growth Centre.
Chambers, R. (1974). Managing Rural Development: Ideas and experience from East Africa. Scandinavian Institute of African Studies.
Chibaya, E. (2021). Decentralised Development and the Constituency Development Fund in Zambia: A pathway to local empowerment? African Public Policy & Research Institute.
Chibomba, D. N. (2013). The Constituency Development Fund as a tool for community development: A case study of Katuba Constituency in Zambia. University of Zambia.
Chileshe, P. (2023). Equitable Resource Distribution and Development in Marginalized Areas. Zambia Research Journal.
Chomba, J., & Mulenga, D. (2020). Strengthening Governance through Community participation: The role of CDF in Zambia. International Journal of Public Administration.
Chomba, S., & Mulenga, D. (2020). Political interference in the Constituency Development Fund allocation in Zambia. Journal of Political Studies.
Christenson, J. A., & Robinson, J. W. (1989). Community Development in perspective. Iowa State University Press.
Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act, No. 2. (2016). Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Constituency Development Fund Act, No. 1. (2024). Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Constituency Development Fund Act, No. 11. (2018). Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd Ed.). Sage Publications.
Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3rd Ed.). Sage Publications.
Githinji, J. (2014). Electoral cycles and development funds in Kenya. African Studies Review, 57 (1), 75–90.
Government of Kenya. (2003). Constituency Development Fund act. Government Printer.
Government of Kenya. (2007). CDF allocation summary. Government Printer.
Government of the Republic of Zambia. (2006). CDF guidelines. Ministry of Local Government and Housing.
Government of the Republic of Zambia. (2020). National Planning and Budgeting act, No. 1. Government Printer.
Government of the Republic of Zambia. (2022). 8th National Development Plan (2022-2026). Ministry of Finance and National Planning.
Government of the Republic of Zambia. (2022). Constituency Development Fund Annual report. Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
Government of the Republic of Zambia. (2023). National Decentralisation Policy. Cabinet Office.
Hickey, A., (2010), Constituency Development Funds: Scoping Paper, International. Budget Partnership, Washington, DC.
International Budget Partnership. (2010). Constituency Development Funds: A global perspective. International Budget Partnership.
International Budget Partnership. (2023). Constituency Development Funds: Transparency and accountability. International Budget Partnership.
International Growth Centre. (2023). Constituency Development Fund Process Monitoring round 1 report. International Growth Centre.
Jabareen, Y. (2009). Building a conceptual framework: Philosophy, definitions, and procedure. International Journal of Qualitative Methods.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection. (2022). Sustained political will and governance in CDF. JCTR.
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection. (2023). Constituency Development Fund: Budget analysis. JCTR.
Kabika, J. C., & Mumba, J. (2012). Effectiveness of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as a tool for rural development in Zambia. University of Zambia.
Kahn, R. L., & Cannell, C. F. (1957). The Dynamics of Interviewing: Theory, technique, and cases. John Wiley & Sons.
Kamau, C. G., & Mohamed, H. B. (2015). Efficacy of Monitoring and Evaluation Function in Achieving Project Success in Kenya: A Conceptual Framework. Science Journal of Business and Management, 3(3), 82-94.
Kawimbe, S. (2024). Community Involvement in CDF project selection.
Kent County Council. (2025). Decentralisation and Devolution: A comparative analysis. Kent County Council.
Lolojih, P. K. (2008). Local government administration and service delivery in the third republic: A case study of Lusaka City Council, Choma Municipal Council, and Luwingu District Council. University of Zambia.
Lungu, J. (2019). CDF and local development: Assessing the outcomes of Constituency Development Fund in the education sector in Zambia. University of Zambia.
Lusaka Times. (2023). CDF Reforms and Accountability Measures. Lusaka Times.
Maina, B. (2005). Monitoring and Evaluation of support to Decentralisation and Local Governance: Kenya case study (Working Paper No. 61). European Centre for Development Policy Management.
Maina, K., & Karanja, T. (2021). Transparency in public project implementation: The case of Constituency Development Funds in Kenya. Public Administration Review.
Mbewe, S., & Zulu, J. (2023). Political Influence in CDF project selection.
Ministry of Finance and National Planning. (2005). Kabwe district profile. Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. (2022). CDF guidelines. Government of the Republic of Zambia.
MoLG and e-Government Division. (2019). Decentralisation and local government service delivery. Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (1999). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Acts Press.
Mulenga, C. M. (2016). An evaluation of Constituency Development Fund projects in Zambia: A case study of Lusaka province. Zambia Research Foundation.
Mulenga, D & Chomba, J. (2020). Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Zambia’s CDF projects. Governance and Development Review, 5 (2), 18–35.
Mulenga, L., & Chomba, S. (2020). Accountability and Transparency in the management of the constituency development fund in Zambia. Zambian Journal of Development Studies.
Mumba, S, Chirwa, P & Ngoma, S. (2023). Enhancing Local Governance through the Constituency Development Fund in Zambia. African Development Review.
Mumba, T., Banda, H., & Ngoma, J. (2023). Direct community impact of the constituency Development Fund in Zambia. Development Studies Quarterly.
Musamba, J., & Phiri, C. (2019). Challenges in Community Participation in CDF projects.
Mutiso, J. (2020). Political Influence and Development funds in Kenya: A case study of the CDF. African Development Journal.
Mwangi, K. (2005). Efficiency and efficacy of Kenya’s constituency development fund: Theory and evidence (Working Paper 2005-42). Department of Economics, University of Connecticut.
Mwangi, K., & Kinyua, J. (2023). Community Engagement in CDF projects.
Mwansa, B. (2021). Decentralisation Policy and its Implications for Local Governance in Zambia. Policy and Development Review.
Mwansa, K. (2021). The Challenges and Opportunities of Decentralisation in Zambia: A focus on the constituency development fund. Journal of Public Administration and Development.
Mweemba, C. (2013). Kabwe district socio-economic profile.
Ndhlovu, T., & Kumari, S. (2024). Gender and youth Empowerment through CDF.
Ndung’u, J., et al. (2021). Sustainable Funding Frameworks for CDF.
Ngure, P., & Makena, J. (2022). Transparency in Constituency Development Funds.
Nkandu, E, Mulenga, S & Zulu, F. (2022). Job Creation and Economic Empowerment through CDF projects in Zambia. Journal of Economic Development.
Nkandu, M., Kanyama, K., & Mulenga, D. (2022). The impact of Constituency Development Fund on Rural Communities in Zambia. International Journal of Rural Development.
Nyaguthii, E & Oyugi, L. A. (2013). Influence of community participation on successful implementation of CDF projects in Kenya: A case Mwea constituency. International Journal of Education and Research.
Ochieng, J & Musau, P. (2023). Learning from CDF Implementation Cycles.
Odhiambo, T. (2018). Local Governance and CDF projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review.
Ogola, D & Simiyu, J. (2022). Impact of Constituency Development Funds on local infrastructure in Kenya.
Ojwang, J & Muriuki, P. (2012). Economic Impacts of CDF in Kenya.
Okello, P & Aine, J. (2023). Feedback Mechanisms in CDF Sustainability.
Oluwole, A & Adeyemi, S. (2021). Challenges of Constituency Development Projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. International Journal of Development Studies.
Parliament of Zambia. (2013). Auditor-General’s report on CDF implementation. Government Printer.
Phiri, M., & Banda, F. (2015). The role of Constituency Development Funds in addressing service delivery in Zambia. Copper belt University Press.
Policy Monitoring and Research Centre. (2010). Policy analysis statutory instrument No. 55 of 2010: Government to monitor balance of payments. Policy Monitoring and Research Centre.
Presidential Delivery Unit Zambia. (2024). CDF budget and reforms 2024. Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Ravallion, M. (2005). Evaluating Anti-poverty Programs. World Bank Publications.
Rbot, J. (2002). Decentralisation and Development in Africa.
Simiyu, J., et al. (2014). Stakeholder Involvement in CDF Projects.
Susiku, C. M. (2020). Utilization of Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to public projects in Kabwe district: A case study of Bwacha and Kabwe Central Constituencies. University of Zambia.
Tashakkori, A., & Teddlie, C. (2003). Handbook of Mixed Methods in Social and Behavioural Research. Sage Publications.
Transparency International Zambia. (2022). Accountability in CDF Implementation. Transparency International Zambia.
Tshindaye, A. (2023). Expanded scope of CDF in Zambia.
Turner, M., & Hulme, D. (1997). Governance, administration, and Development: Making the state work. Kumarian Press.
Uganda Debt Network. (2007). Community Participation in CDF Projects in Uganda. Uganda Debt Network.
Urban and Regional Planning Act, No. 3. (2015). Government of the Republic of Zambia.
Vision 2030. (2006). Zambia’s long-term Development plan. Government of the Republic of Zambia.
World Bank. (2000). World development report 1999/2000: Entering the 21st century. Oxford University Press.
Zambia Institute for Policy Analysis and Research. (2018). Constituency Development Funds in Zambia: Opportunities and Challenges for effective Local Development. ZIPAR.
Zyl, V. A. (2010). What is wrong with the Constituency Development Funds? International Budget Partnership Budget Brief.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Chilufya Chileshe, Kasonde Mundende (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
