Performance evaluation of farmers’ multipurpose cooperative societies in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

There is pertinent need for group efforts (cooperation) among farmers for efficient utilisation of agricultural resources. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of farmers’ multipurpose cooperative societies in Enugu State, Nigeria. Primary data from 250 respondents were sampled. The objectives were to assess the performance of the farmers’ multipurpose cooperative societies (FMCSs); determine the factors that affect performance; and explore the constraints to effective performance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. Results showed that all the factors affecting cooperative society’s performance hypothesised in the model were statistically significant with access to credit and access to input being the most significant (P<0.01) and with marginal effects of 0.1743 and 0.1205 respectively. The result also showed that cooperative societies were able to secure loans, inputs, extension services, and organised an annual general meeting for their members. The result showed insufficient capital, inadequate credit, inexperienced managers and inadequate government assistance were serious constraints to cooperatives’ performances. It is recommended that cooperatives should increase their equity capital drive by up scaling their subscriptions and by reinvesting their surpluses. The government should intensify its pro-farmers’ cooperatives’ policies and programs.