<b>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</b>

Abstract

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.