AN ANALYSIS OF THE ROLE OF COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN THE PROVISION OF AGRO PROCESSING FACILITIES IN THE RURAL AREAS A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED FARMERS MULTI-PURPOSE COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN IMO STATE

ABSTRACT

This topic, an analysis of the role of cooperative societies in the provision of Agro processing facilities in the rural areas has been chosen in order to bring into focus, the explicit role played by the cooperatives in the provision of Agro- products to the rural populace.

Chapter one embraces the introduction, background of study, statement of the problems, objectives of the study, research questions, significance of the study, scope and limitation, definition of terms.

Chapter two deals with the review of the literatures.

Chapter three depicts methodology and procedures used in this work.

Chapter four equally gives the findings, presentation and analysis of the findings. The discussion of findings.

Chapter five includes the summary of findings, recommendation and conclusion.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title page——————————————————–i

Certification Page———————————————–ii

Dedication——————————————————iii

Acknowledgement ——————————————iv-v

Abstract——————————————————–vi

Table of Contents——————————————-vii-ix

Chapter one ————————————————1-14

1. Introduction

1.1 Background of the Study

1.2 Statement of the Problems

1.3 Objective of the Study

1.4 Significance of the Study

1.5 Scope of the Study

1.6 Limitations of the Study

1.7 Definition of Terms

Chapter Two———————————————–15-28

• Literature Review

2.1 History of Cooperatives in the world

2.2 The nature of Rural Area

2.3 Meaning of Cooperative Societies

2.4 Agro Processing Industries in the Rural Nigeria

2.5 Cooperatives in Agro Processing

Chapter Three———————————————29-32

Research methodology

• Introduction

3.1 Area of the Study

3.2 Population of the Study

3.3 Sampling Techniques and Size

3.4 Methods of Data Collection

3.5 Method of Data Analysis

Chapter Four———————————————-33-45

• Presentation and Analysis of Data

4.1 Presentation of Data

4.2 Test of Hypothesis

4.3 Discussion of Findings

Chapter Five———————————————–46-48

Summary of Findings, Recommendation and Conclusion.

• Introduction

5.2 Summary of Findings

5.3 Conclusion

Bibliography———————————————–49-50

Appendix—————————————————51-55

Questionnaire

CHAPTER ONE

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

       A cooperative is a pan- humane business organization formed by individuals who are desirous of pooling themselves and their resources together to form a democratically controlled organization devoid of pecuniary gain. The uniqueness of cooperative and it’s flexibility  permits it to be practiced among farmers, fishermen, Artisans, Industrial and commercial workers, drivers, students, market men and women etc.

       Osy Obodechi (2006) cooperative may be defined as a voluntary association of persons grappling with the same socio-economic problems and legally constituted to serve the economic needs of its members democratically, providing services at cost or and sharing benefits in proportion to use.

   Cooperative society helped farmers in numerous ways by providing agricultural equipments, machines and tools to achieve greater out in agricultural farm produce in the rural areas  

   As Chukwu (1990) put it, the cooperatives is made up of individual farmers, who have joined together to form a cooperative establishment for collective production.

     However, the society provides education to the rural farmers concerning the use of machines to avoid break down in production. these machines and equipment include investors, tractor and tillage which enhance large scale production, these machines can be hired or bought from the government with the influence of the registered cooperatives societies.

  Prior to the cooperative ordinance of 1935,there exist some cooperatives which includes traditional cooperative institution I e saving club commonly know as Esusu and auxiliary cooperative society.

   Cooperative societies as a vehicle for promoting the interest of rural farmer and enhance their own individual welfare starting with the adventure of the Rochdale pioneer in 1844 in England. This medium enable the society to enter successfully into provision  of agro processing facilities which cause positive change in the development of agriculture in the rural areas.

   Rural areas in developing countries have agriculture as the main stay of their economy, therefore any effort in developing the rural areas must address agricultural development .

   According to Okeke E. U. (1999), Agricultural cooperatives are cooperatives found in all the sub sectors of agriculture .these sub sector of agriculture are crop production .livestock ,forestry and wild life .

  S.Y Berko (2001), Agricultural producer cooperatives are cooperative whose members are agriculturist or agricultural producers .

  Therefore, for the rural farmers to be involved in the agro processing facilities ,they must be familiar with the modern method and accept the institution involved such as :

A) careful handling and maintenance of the facilities to avoid break down and enhance long term usage of the facilities .

B) Accepting technical assistance in response to specific problem

C) Improving the standard of the sustenance population involves the rural dwellers to accept the mobilization and allocation of resources and facilities to reach a desirable balance over time between the welfare and population service available to rural populace

D) mass participation required that equipment should be allowed to poor farmers .

1.3   SATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

   The present condition of farmers and rural dwellers in Nigeria is unsatisfactory, the image of poverty ,hunger ,disease totally disorganize the farming and agriculture sectors .

   The percentage of the total population engaged in agriculture is diminishing ,villages that are known for agricultural production has reduced since the invention of oil at Oloibiri in Bayelsa state 1956 .Farming activities have been on low rate ,rural urban migration take effect since their is know incentives given to this farmers and as such lack facilities to enhance production .