The rice industry,the state and food security in Barotseland,1945-1990
Date
2017
Authors
Sililo, Monde
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
The main purpose of this study was to investigate the reasons why despite Barotseland being one of
the chief producers of rice in Zambia, it remained food insecure and one of the poorest provinces
from 1945-1990. Therefore, the study reviewed the impact of the 1945 Ten Year Development Plan
(TYDP), the First National Development Plan (NDP) (1966-1972), Second (1972-1976), Third
(1979-1983) and the 1989 Fourth NDP in the rice industry vis-à-vis food security. The researcher
hoped that the study will be a contribution to the body of knowledge of the economic history of
Barotseland. Qualitative approach was used for data analysis. Information was collected from UNZA
main library in Lusaka, the Archives of Zambia and Ministry of Agriculture in Mongu. Oral
interviews were done in Mongu, Senanga and Kalabo in Western Province. Since colonial era,
annual floods became a major constraint to food security due to insufficient male labour in the canal
and drainage works. The colonial government wanted cheap labour to work in farms and mines for
whites in South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and Belgium Congo. In the 1940s the problem of food
security in Barotseland coincided with the Second World War (1939-1945) economic crisis that
affected British territories. Britain wanted to revamp her economy and to help her territories to be
economically self-sufficient. Thus she came up with deliberate agricultural policies that encouraged
African Peasant Farmers (AFP) to engage in cash crop production. The plan was enshrined in the
1945 TYDP and rice was selected for Barotseland due to the prevalence of many water bodies where
rice grew favourably. It was also hoped that by engaging in rice business ventures, the local people
would increase their income thus, improve their food security. The state worked in collaboration with
donor countries, Barotseland Royal Establishment (BRE) and the private sector in providing Peasant
Farmer Support Services (PFSS) to some local rice peasant farmers. Some of the PFSS provided
were: construction of canals and drainages, storage, packaging and marketing facilities. In the period
between 1950 and 1990, Barotseland recorded a steady increase in rice production. However, the
expected improved livelihood was not attained. This was due to various challenges that faced the rice
industry. These were: agricultural policies that were contrary to the ecology and terrain of
Barotseland. In addition, policy implementation and monitoring processes were inconsistent due to
economic crises. Complex Lozi land tenure policy and negative response towards rice state projects
by some local people also hindered the growth of the industry. The study concluded that the rice
industry was not a profitable business thus the cash proceeds could not carter for the needed food
stuffs.
Description
Thesis
Keywords
Rice industry--Barotseland--Zambia , Food security--Rice production--Zambia