THE ROLE OF MARKETING CO-OPERATIVES IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Marketing co-operative societies as a forum or type of business organization came about where people with common interest unite themselves into a group financed  and controlled by them for the purpose of marketing some of the commodities produced by members or from other sources in order to achieve their goals (co-operative societies started in Nigeria in the life patterns of various communities in the country showed some traits of co-operative activities before the advent of modern co-operative activities before the advent of modern co-operative societies.
        This is because most communities in Nigeria generally had (and other still have) series of association, youth associations, etc.
        According to Iheanacho co-operative/marketing co-operative office in Mbaitolu, which were created from Mbaitolu/Ikeduru local government area of Imo state of Nigeria in 1989 with the formation of multi-purpose co-operatives societies. With the increase in the formation  of new co-operative societies in Nigeria is a clear indication that many people and institutions alile have found co-operative societies, a useful tool in furthering different interests.
        In the fourth national development plan, government has pledged to give all necessary encouragement towards the growth and development of the co-operative sector in the country.
        In analyzing the marketing co-operatives in Mbaitolu attentions must be paid to their basil agricultural product, hence just like other area within the East. They are mainly farmers. But most importantly, some parts of this area are not for the production large quantity. Orodo people, Amukwu and Odunmana do produce rice. This work is also to analyse the effects of this production of rice on national development with special reference to Mbaitolu.
        Okafor (1998) claimed that the establishment of marketing co-operative societies  could enhance the standard of living of the masses of the area, contribute to the education of members and facilitate  the marketing activities of farmers and to economic development of Nigeria.