ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS PARTICIPATION IN AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was conducted to assess farmers’ participation in agricultural cooperatives in Niger State. The primary data for the study were obtained using structured Interview Schedule administered to 143 randomly sampled farmers who were members of different agricultural cooperative societies in the study area. Descriptive and Inferential statistics (Chi-Square and Pearson Correlation) were used to analyze data collected for the study. Hypotheses were tested at 5% significant level. The results shows that 65.8% of the farmers were between 21 – 50 years of age and that 53.2% of the respondents fully participated in agricultural cooperatives activities in the study area. Also, hypotheses tested showed no significant relationship between age, household size and educational attainment of the farmers and their levels of participation in agricultural cooperative societies in the study area. However, there was a correlation between the perceived effectiveness of cooperative societies and levels of member’s participation. It is recommended that extension agents in the area should further enlighten the farmers about the benefits derivable by members of agricultural cooperative societies with a view to enhancing their access to production resources as well as widening their scope of participation in cooperative societies.