An Examination of the Effectiveness of CDF on Youth-Led Empowerment Agricultural Projects: A Study of Young Farmers’ Clubs in Monze

Abstract

This study examines the effectiveness of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in empowering youth-led agricultural projects, specifically focusing on Young Farmers’ Clubs in Monze Constituency, Zambia. The research aims to evaluate how these youth-led initiatives access CDF resources, assess the impact of CDF on the success and sustainability of their projects, and identify challenges faced by young farmers in leveraging this funding mechanism. Using a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through surveys, interviews, and document reviews involving stakeholders such as club members, local government officials, and agricultural extension officers. Preliminary findings suggest that while CDF has facilitated access to resources like inputs, equipment, and training, issues like delays in fund disbursement, limited stakeholder engagement, and inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms persist. The study aims to provide recommendations for policy adjustments and strategic interventions to optimize CDF’s impact on youth-led agricultural development in Monze. Test cases included assessing the efficiency of CDF fund disbursement, stakeholder involvement in the process, and the overall sustainability of youth-led agricultural projects, thereby contributing to improving rural youth participation in sustainable agriculture through targeted financial support mechanisms like CDF. Recommendations include strengthening participatory decision-making processes, improving fund allocation transparency, and providing capacity-building programs tailored to youth needs. This research contributes to understanding the role of decentralized funding mechanisms in empowering youth in agriculture and offers insights for policymakers, stakeholders, and development practitioners aiming to optimize the impact of CDF on rural development.