Assessment of Benefits of Participation of Rural Women in Cooperative Societies in Shiroro Area of Niger State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Despite the significant role of cooperatives society in the economics development of rural areas, many cooperative societies still face several challenges which hinder full participation of individuals and enjoy the befits of its formation. With this problems one may be in doubt as to whether the objectives of the cooperatives societies are achieved or not. It is the light of this the study was conducted to analyse the benefits of participation of rural women in cooperative societies in Shiroro area of Niger State, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty respondents were randomly selected and interviewed in lines with the objectives of the study. Descriptive statistics and inferential statistical tools were used for data analysis. The findings indicated that younger people (58.7%) within the age range of 21-40years participate more in cooperative societies in the study area and have taken combination of farming and trading (57.3%) as their major occupation. The study revealed that majority of the respondents belongs to marketing cooperative societies (76.7%) and acquisition of credits facilities (68.0%) was the highest benefits derived by members participating in cooperative societies in the study area. The findings of the study also revealed that major problems of encounter by respondent participating in cooperative societies in the study area include bad leadership style (69.33%), inadequate working capital (65.33%) and inadequate benefits accrued to participating members. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) that was used test the formulated hypothesis revealed that there is no significant relationship between selected socio-economic (age, educational level and household) characteristics and benefits derived by respondents participating in cooperative societies in the study area. Women should be given more access to education, especially by going beyond secondary school level. The government and non-governmental organisation should create more avenues for cooperatives societies to access fund either inform of grants or loan to boost the cooperative activities