THE NDALAT SETTLEMENT SCHEME IN THE CONTEXT OF THE STRUCTURAL ADJUSTMENT PROGRAMS (SAPs), 1980-1992

Abstract

The Ndalat Settlement Scheme is one of the schemes which were rooted in the period leading to independence. Born out of the logic from the Swinerton Plan of 1954, its aim was to foster high-intensity agriculture which would generate income for the farmers. After independence, the scheme begun on a sound footing with all the support being given by the exiting colonial government. Within the first one and a half decades, it managed to achieve high productivity in terms of agricultural output. However, in the 1980’s and 1990’s the settlement was affected by the SAPS (Structural Adjustment Policies) that were fronted by the Bretton Woods institutions (World Bank and IMF). These policies led to the government removing subsidies to farmers, dismantled marketing boards and liberalized agricultural marketing. Therefore, this study’s main aim was to find out how the policies affected the Ndalat Settlement Scheme which was wound up in 1992. The study adopted the historical method that entailed combining both primary sources (Archival records and oral interviews of Key informants) with secondary source analysis (books, Journal articles as well as internet sources). This data was contextualized within the timeframe and analyzed thematically. It is expected that the study yields a nuanced understanding of the nexus between policies and practice, especially in agricultural production.

Key Words: Ndalat Settlement Scheme, SAPS