In a study of the Community Development Programme (CDP) it was observed that the best organised and most successful activities occurred in the field of agricultural extension, and that consequently it was the farmers who benefited most.

However, about 70 percent of these benefits went in fact to the more affluent farmers; poor small holders were often not in a position to take full advantage of the new methods. Another consequence was that the programme completely ignored the needs of the artisans and agricultural labourers, for no specific projects were initiated to help them.

As a result of these deficiencies, conflicts arose between the poorer and the wealthier members of the community; and this was further exacerbated by the fact that the adoption of certain improved agricultural implements led to a reduction in the employment opportunities for labourers in the area. There was a general attitude, especially among the poorest section of the population, of merely responding in a subservient way to the demands of government.