Publication Date: 2022/07/20
Abstract: The study assessed the sustainability of small - scale farming as business financed by savings groups in Mkushi district in Zambia.A mixed methodinvolving quantitative and qualitative research was applied.A total sample size of 109 participants was purposively selected for the study. Data collection was through interviews using semi structured questions.A linear binary logistic regression analysis was run in SPSS to determine the predictors of the sustainability of small-scale farming while the Pearson Product Moment correlation was computed to test whether a significant correlation exist between sustainable small-scale farming as a business and village saving groups.The findings indicated that small scale farming practices before the introduction of Saving Groups did not yield sustainability, while the farming practices after formation of saving groups yielded sustainability. Further, the results revealed that factors including average payback period of the loan were associated with sustainable small-scale farming as a business served by saving groups.Finally, the findings publicised negligible negativeor no significant relationship between sustainable small-scale farming as a business and belonging to village savings. The study recommended the need for stakeholders such as Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of finance and private sector (FSD IFAD, RUFEP, ZRDF) to scale up the setting up of village savings group throughout rural Zambia in order to provide loan facilities to small-scale farmers at affordable interest rates in order for them to sustainably produce far beyond subsistence for emerging and commercial purposes.
Keywords: Sustainable, Savings, Farming, Agriculture, Practice
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6867653
PDF: https://ijirst.demo4.arinfotech.co/assets/upload/files/IJISRT22JUN1529_(1).pdf
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