Voices from the Fields: Decolonizing Narratives of Smallholder Farmers in Rural Zambian Cooperatives

Abstract

This qualitative study, "Voices from the Fields: Decolonizing Narratives of Smallholder Farmers in Rural Zambian Cooperatives," investigated the nuanced realities of smallholder farmers' engagement with agricultural cooperatives. While cooperatives are widely promoted for rural development, the subjective experiences of their members in contexts like rural Zambia remain underexplored. Employing an interpretive phenomenological approach, the research delves into farmers' perceptions of fairness, participation in decision-making, access to markets, and the overall impact of cooperative membership on their livelihoods. Data was collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with 30 smallholder farmers from 3 diverse agricultural cooperatives in rural Zambia, supplemented by key informant interviews. The study provides a rich, insider's perspective, shedding light on the social, cultural, and economic factors shaping cooperative effectiveness from the members' viewpoint. The findings offer critical insights for policymakers and development practitioners seeking to foster more equitable, farmer-centric, and sustainable cooperative models in Zambia and similar developing economies.

Keywords: Agricultural cooperatives, smallholder farmers, lived experiences, rural development, cooperative development, Zambia.

DOI: 10.7176/DCS/15-2-04

Publication date: July 30^th 2025