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Abstract

This article explores the contribution of the cashew nut industry to the economic development of Mongu district. The industry was introduced in Mongu district after the Zambian government embarked on the creation of agricultural schemes to reduce the economic imbalance, inherited from the colonial government, between urban and rural areas. The new United National Independence Party government, which came to power in 1964, wanted to develop rural areas through an improved peasantry class. This led to the establishment of agricultural schemes in various rural parts of the country. Due to the sandy terrain of Mongu district, the cashew nut industry was chosen for that area. Contrary to other studies which portray agricultural schemes to have failed completely, this article argues that the benefits accrued to the local people should not go unnoticed. Despite facing various challenges, peasant farmers in Mongu were resilient enough to continue growing cashew nuts. In this way, Mongu district benefitted from the industry economically through employment provision, women’s financial empowerment, promotion of local trade, and improved food security. The article relies heavily on primary sources of information available in the National Archives of Zambia, the Zambia Agricultural Research Institute Library, and oral sources from key informants from Mongu district. ___________________________________________________________________________________________

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