Assessment of the impact of participatory village development in isolated Area (Pavidia) in Kapatu block of Mporokoso District

Abstract

The study was conducted in Mporokoso District to assess the impact of the Participatory Village development in Isolated Areas. The study aimed at assessing the difference between the beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of the project in terms of food security and income improvements. Information from both secondary and primary sources was used and analyzed in descriptive analyses of SPSS. The study revealed that most of respondents had low education levels for which their average level was primary education. Majority of the non-beneficiaries had 2 meals per day representing 63.3% while beneficiaries had 3 meals per day representing 70.0%. 63.3% of non-beneficiaries did not have enough food per meal whereas 83.3% of the beneficiaries had enough food per meal. Further, it was found that 41.7% of non-beneficiaries and only 20.0% beneficiaries had some shortages of food for the past 3 years of their living. Income levels for the respondents was assessed and it was found that most non-beneficiaries earned below 2,500ZMK in comparison with beneficiaries who earned between 2,500 to 5,000ZMK for the last 12 months. Assessment on value of assets revealed that most non-beneficiaries owned assets worth 1,750ZMK and beneficiaries had asset value worth 2,780ZMK on average per household. The houses of most respondents were thatched and built with local materials. However 13.3% non-beneficiaries and 45.0% beneficiaries lived in iron roofed houses built with burnt bricks. These findings were tested to note any significant difference among respondents using Pearson Chi square statistical tests at 95.0% confidence level in descriptive statistics of SPSS and results proved that PaViDIA had an impact on beneficiaries. PaViDIA improved beneficiaries food security and income in Kapatu Block, thus it is recommended that PaViDIA or any participatory related Projects should be introduced in many other isolated areas of Zambia.