Intra-rural migration and resource development on the Tonga Plateau of Southern Province, Zambia, 1960-1980
Date
2011-08-15
Authors
Kubinda, Charles Moono
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The study attempts to explore the role migration has played in the development of agricultural resources of Southern Province of Zambia between 1960-1980. This study used library and fieldwork data, the later data
having been collected by the author through interviews with sixty people in two sample communities at each end of a major migration
stream.The study commences with a review of the various types of human mobility encountered in Africa, with special attention paid to the motivation for these.The basic concepts in the study of human mobility are introduced at this point. A framework for the study the impact of migration upon resource development is developed with three contrasting theories introduced in preparation for testing of their relevance in the study.The second and third chapters of the dissertation
consider the context within which migration occurs in Southern province.Chapter considers the environmental basis for migration and resource development in the province and analyses the patterns of mobility reported in the 1969 census.Chapter three provides a detailed background to the two study areas, Chief Moyo in Choma District and Chief Chikanta in Kalomo District.It explores the possibilities and limitations of the physical and economic environments in the two areas.This is to allow a deeper insight into the two areas
as they provide the two sample areas on which the dissertation is based.
Chapter Four is the focus of the study. This
examines in detail the relationship that obtains between migration and resource development in the turn study areas,
The agricultural trends in the two societies are outlined and the changes in production by the migrants and non-migrants interviewed are analysed. This chapter investigates
the characteristics of the migrants, in particular their asses to land, labour and capital and the influence of these variables upon changes in production due to migration. This analysis shows that migration had a mixed impact in the source area, i.e. production increased at the sample level, but declined at society level; while
in the destination there was overall increased production both at the sample level and society level.The study concludes by considering the implications of such types of migrations for Zambians in terms of resource development. It paints out that most of the intra-rural migrations that occur in the country are of the selective
nature and as such impoverishsd areas tend to lose good farmers into areas where there are better farming and marketing opportunities, thereby increasing the development gap between the two areas.
Description
Keywords
Tonga (African people) , Migration, Internal -- Zambia -- Southern Province. , Conservation of natural resources -- Zambia -- Southern Province.