Community perspectives on the Zambian Farm Block Development Program and an evaluation of household income factors:...

Since 2002, the Farm Block Development Program was one of the flagship initiatives within Zambia's agricultural policy. This program was designed to promote commercialization of rural agricultural lands, to contribute to national food security, economic growth, and improved rural livelihoods. However, host community concerns remained untold. This paper aimed at shedding light on those concerns, and the factors associated with household incomes. A qualitative evaluation of submissions from Luena Farm Block residents in Kawambwa district in Zambia, showed that reticent project reception; fears of displacement, job scarcity, environmental damage, and cultural erosion were major issues for the local community. Further, a quantitative evaluation of data from 5286 respondents, using Tobit models established that 95% of household incomes were below Zambia's official minimum wage, and the rural average income. Censored Least Absolute Deviation regression revealed that the household income factors were education, household size, cultivated area, and land tenure security. Environment-level income factors were health facility presence, and water access. The conclusion urged a cautious approach to achieve sustainable farm block development. Policy recommendations were that community needs and interests should be mainstreamed in the Farm Block Development Program. Education and health facilities should be promoted to enhance literacy and productivity. Mechanization should be promoted to expand crop areas and production efficiency. Land tenure security should be facilitated to protect fixed investments. Safe water access should be promoted to support irrigation and public health.