ABSTRACT

The study focuses on the impact of cooperative societies on agricultural production in the rural setting of Edo state. Results obtained from the interview shows that credit disburse to the farmers constitute serious administrative problem which is hindering the effectiveness of the scheme. The loans applied for and the amount approved and disbursed to the farmers are not enough to move, so there are no through supervision on the part of the official of the co-operative and the ministry of agriculture. Recommendation we made on how to solve these problems in the existing farmer’s co-operative societies. It was revealed that most of the respondents (80%) have made use of loan from one co-operative society or the other and also the access to loan and farming equipments has not been encouraging. To this effects some of the recommendation made was; I. There should be a roaster or writing policy on the acquisition of loan and farming equipment so as the foster the accessibility to loan by the members. II. There should be no bias in giving out of loans to members.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In developing countries as in the case of Nigeria, Agriculture dominates the nation’s economy. It has been established that about to percent of Nigeria population is engaged in agriculture (Obasi and Aug, 2000) while 90 percent of Nigeria total food production comes from small farms and to percent of the country population earn their living from these small farms (Oluwatayo et al, 2008). The recent importation of food items into the country to make up for the short falls in food supply Is a dangerous indication of warning farm productivity and warning sign that if the nation continue with the business as usual, the prospect of food security will be black for millions of people (Nwede 2003) It terms employment agriculture is by far the most importance sector of Nigeria’s economy engaging about 70% of the labour force. Agricultural holding are generally small and scattered, family is often of the subsistence variety characterized by simple tools and shifting cultivation. These small farms produce about 80% of the total foods.

About 30.7 million hectares (76 million acres) or 33% of Nigeria land area are under cultivation. Nigeria’s diverse climate from the tropical area of the coast the arid zone of the North, make it possible to produce virtually all agricultural products that can grown in the tropical and semitropical area of the world the economic benefit of large scale agriculture are recognized, and the government favors the formation of cooperative societies and settlements to encourage industrial agricultural. Large scale agriculture, however, is not common. Despite an abundant water supply a favorable climate and wide area or arable land, productivity is restricted owing to low soil fertility in many areas and inefficient method of cultivation agriculture. Contributed 32% to GPD in 2001 It’s widely recognized that co-operative form an indispensable component. Through community organization co-operative serves the basis and plant form for bring together the economically weak member of the society with a view of enhancing their individual capacities (Akali, 1991). The contributions of cooperative to the economy especially in the developing countries are enormous, ranging from provision of credit to its members and sourcing of inputs at reasonable price to scale of member produce (Okonkwuo, 1991).

Cooperative are defined as “an autonomous association of persons who unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and social needs and aspiration through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise. (ICA, 1995) cooperative are established by like-minded persons to pursue mutually beneficial economic interest. Researcher are of the opinion that under normal circumstance, cooperative play significant role in the provision of service that enhance agricultural development. Patrick, (1995) described cooperative as a medium, through which services like provision of farm input, farm implements, farm mechanization agricultural. Loans agricultural extension member education, marketing of member farm produce and other economic activities and services rendered to members regular and optimal performance of these roles will accelerate the transformation of agriculture and rural economic development. Ijere (1981) further explained that. It is the cooperative that embraces all types of farmers and a well organized and supportive cooperative is a pillar of strength for agriculture in Nigeria. Ogunbameru (1986) also estimated that 52% of Nigerians population is women and that 70% of such women live in rural area. It is also on record (Adebayo and Amao, 2003) that 53% of the poor in Nigeria are women. In the rural areas a large number of women are illiterate, very poor, have high rate of infection and are economically oppressed (Essien, 2000) observed that only small fraction of woman in Nigeria had the benefit of higher education and that the majority is engaged in petty trading and peasantry farming.

Despite the low educational and poor economic background of Nigeria women they are still responsible for more than half of the nations food basket and contribute more than two third of the working hours on the farm (Barret et al, 2001). They also reported that AFRICAN Women are responsible for 66% of micro processing activities, especially the processing of agricultural produce. In Nigeria, agricultural production is dominated by small-scale farmers most whom live in rural areas. Crops and animals are produced on scattered farm holding. Most of the farmers operate without modern production input. Their marketing system is unorganized with each farmer acting individually to produce farm inputs and to sell farm produce. Cooperative societies enable people to achieve through joint efforts what they are unable to achieve while working as individuals. They are legally established organization on the basis of specific set of principles cooperatives activities is one of the best method by which peasant farmer can take part in their own economic advancement and gain valuable experience of democratic produce and business management. Akinwumi (1978). They are association of persons who have voluntarily come together to achieve common objective through the formation of a democratically controlled organization, making equitable contributions to the capital required and accepting fair share of the risk and benefit of the undertaking (World Bank, 1999, Ebonyi and Jimo, 2002).