Agricultural Credit Management in Zambia: Business Development, Social Security or Patronage?

An examination of the Agricultural Credit Management Program (ACMP), formed in Zambia in 1994 includes a cost-benefit analysis & an evaluation of its indirect & long-term impacts. The ACMP goals were: to develop a network of private traders who could relieve the government of the tasks of fi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Development policy review 1998-03, Vol.16 (1), p.5-28
Main Author: Copestake, James G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural Credit Management Programme
Agricultural Development
AGRICULTURE (INCLUDING HUNTING AND GATHERING)
Clientelism
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Credit
Development Programs
Development Strategies
Economic Development
Economic management
Food security
Liberalization
Private sector
Rural credit
ZAMBIA
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Summary:An examination of the Agricultural Credit Management Program (ACMP), formed in Zambia in 1994 includes a cost-benefit analysis & an evaluation of its indirect & long-term impacts. The ACMP goals were: to develop a network of private traders who could relieve the government of the tasks of financing & delivering inputs, eg, fertilizer & seeds, to small farmers; seeking to improve food security & enhance political support for the government. The program's short-term expense was small, since it raised maize output; however, the long-term effect on promoting financial development was negative, & little progress was made in improving the poverty safety net. Nonetheless, it perpetuated the myth of support for small maize producers, making it politically effective in keeping a somewhat discredited government in power. It is argued that economic analysis is meaningless if not viewed in the existing historical & political context. In the case of Zambia, the ACMP was a pragmatic success despite its overall failure. 5 Tables, 48 References. J. Lindroth
ISSN:0950-6764
1467-7679
DOI:10.1111/1467-7679.00047