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THE
INFLUENCE OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF FOOD PRODUCTION IN
NIGERIA
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
Agriculture
accounts for about 20 percent of GDP, in the African sub-region (World Bank,
2005); two third of the people derive from livelihoods and 40 percent of
exports commodities come from this sector (World Bank, 2000). Despite the
importance of the agriculture sector, its performance over the last 30 years
has been disappointing: agriculture and food production per capital in West
Africa has stagnated in last ten years (FAO, 2005) yield of grain crops are
less than half, those of other developing regions in Asia and South America. If
Africa is to feed itself, lift its people out of poverty and attain a
satisfactory level of sustainable growth, the poor in the performance of its
agricultural sector must be addressed. It is the dominant sector in the rural
areas of Nigeria as it provides less than 50% of the country’s cultivable
agricultural land is under cultivation particularly because smallholder and
farmers who use rudimentary production techniques cultivate most of this land
with resultant low yields. The smallholder farmers are constrained by many
problems including those of poor access to modern inputs and credit, poor
infrastructure, inadequate access to markets, land and environmental degradation
and inadequate research and extension services (Oluwatayo, et al 2008).
In an effort
to overcome some of these issues, donor agencies and government have
re-emphasized cooperative as a strategy to promote collective action to
strengthen smallholder’s livelihoods by linking them to national and
international markets. Cooperatives are defined as autonomous association of
persons who unite voluntarily to meet their common economic and social needs
aspiration, through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise
(International Cooperative Association’s, (ICA) 1995). Cooperatives are
established by like-minded persons to purse mutually beneficial economic
interest and they provide a unique tool for achieving one or more economic
goals in an increasingly competitive global economy. These goals include
achieving economic of size, improving bargaining power when dealing with other
business, purchasing in bulk to achieve lower prices and obtaining product and
services otherwise unavailable.
Develtere
(1995), described cooperative as a medium through which services like provision
of farm input, farm implements, farm mechanization, Agricultural loans,
agricultural extension, members education, marketing of members farm produce
and other economic activities and services are rendered to members. Cooperative
can be multi-purpose or focused on area. An example of the latter is farmer’s
cooperative provides smallholder farmers with economic of scale by facilitating
cheaper and more efficient access to inputs, production technologies, market
information and markets.
Today in an
area where many people (especially small-holder farmers) feel powerless to
change their lives, cooperative can serve as a strong, vibrant and viable
economic alternative. They are based on the powerful idea that are formed
together, a group of people can achieve goals that none of them can achieve
alone. It has being considered as a third force, an alternative and
countervailing power to both big business and big government (ICA, 1995)
Agricultural
cooperative encourage members to engage in joint cultivation of food and cash
crops among others. In view of the financial capacity and high level of
underdevelopment, an individual farmer cannot achieve the desire for
large-scale production. It is therefore; in the farmers’ interest that
resources are pulled together so as to gain tremendous collective advantage and
thus widening the industrial base of the economy and the management techniques
of the farmers (Enikaselu et al, 2005).
Group
projects are increasingly being relied upon by governments, bi-and
multi-laterals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as the preferred model
for rural development project implementation and poverty alleviation (Grootaet,
1998; Harris, 1997; World Bank, 1997). Thus despite the low performance of
cooperatives, the World Bank (1997) claims they remain the preferred form of
organization, and perhaps the only organization with which rural people are
familiar (Hussi 199:12). For instance farmers cooperatives society are formed
to bring in more agricultural inputs and product marketing services members,
increase competition in the agricultural service sector and provide saving and
credit to members, among many other function (Porvali, 1993). Small holder
farmers stand a better chance with the formation of agricultural cooperatives.
The
cooperative as a social organization began early in human development. Cheney
(1999) opined that cooperatives were always inspired by the doctrine of human
fellowship, by the new spirit of social services and by a firm faith that the
time would come when people would work for the whole community, instead of
their own gains. Ghosh and Maharjan (2001), modern cooperatives started in 1904
in British India when the cooperative societies act was enacted. The purpose of
the cooperatives at inception was to provide cheap credit to the farmers.
Cooperatives was introduced into Russia in mid-19th century from Germany
(Lohlein andWehrheim, 2003), but the exact years was not stated. However,
Lohlein and Wehrheim (2003) reported that by 1883, there were about 981
cooperatives in Russia. Those in rural areas are called credit cooperatives
while those in the urban centers are refer to as credit union.
Furthermore,
before Rochdale, cooperative pioneers societies had practiced most of the
Rochdale principles. Gates (1998) found profit sharing and surplus sharing
cooperatives between workers and owners, as far back as 1795 and (as might be
expected) the genius of the Rochdale cooperative was that they actually
developed principles, which they then practiced and popularized. Subsequently,
following the guiding principles of cooperative promotions by the ICA, various
cooperatives rapidly developed worldwide-both in developed and developing countries
and this made immense contribution to social and economic development (ICA,
2008).
The
evolution of cooperatives has shown that the cooperative movement has been
influenced by the social and economic conditions. Cooperative was created by
their members to deal with their own difficulties, in relation to aspects of
economic change (Fairbain, 2004a). Djik (1997) summarized the historical
reasons to industrially firms which included the need for counterbalancing
power; to gain access to industrially produced goods and services; efficiency
by economies of scale; risk management and the improvement of members’ income
and the rural economy.
Illiopulous
and Cook (2004) over-view the historical development of famers’ cooperatives in
America, and divided them into two main types which included ‘Traditional’
cooperatives and; new generation’ cooperatives. Traditional cooperatives often
refer to producer-owned, controlled with open membership, and risk capital
generated primarily by means of retained earnings from member patronage and
illiquid equity ownership rights. A new generation cooperative (NGOs) often
adapts “a propertyrights structure that enables them to partially ameliorate
the aforementioned constraint” (Illiopoulous& Cook, 2004). Cook and Burress
(2009) further research also proposed a dynamic life cycle framework includes
five phrase of economic justification: organizational design. Growth, glory and
heterogeneity, recognition and introspection, and choice (Cook and Burress,
2009).
The early
cooperative societies in Nigeria were established to facilitate cocoa farming
which led to the establishment of the Cooperative Registrar of the Colonial
Government in 1935.
Later, these
cooperative societies began providing intermediation to members (World Bank,
2000). Eventually multi-purpose cooperative societies were designed to
simultaneous solve several problems facing members and marketing of farm
produce. Consequently one could arguably state that the need to reduce shortage
of loans to the low income farmers among the members thus promoting
agricultural development brought about cooperative societies in Nigeria
(Oluyombo, 2010). The operation of cooperative within and outside Africa varies
from one nation to another. In some countries, there are rules and regulations
guiding the operation of cooperatives which they are expected to comply with.
The regulation may require the cooperative to be under the direct control the
Central Bank of such nation or a separate agency may be created to monitor and
control the affairs of cooperative depending on what the country deems
acceptable to do (Henry and Schimmel, 2011).
The survival
of cooperative societies in any country depends largely on the overall
political and economic environment of such nation because cooperatives exist
within the wider economy of the particular country where it operates (Calkins
and Ngo, 2005). The practice of cooperative has grown over the years across the
globe either as formal or informal institutions. The regulation of farmers’
cooperatives is a function of the roles they are expected to perform in such
economy vis-a-visthe level of economic development and poverty in such a nation
(Oluyombo, 2010). Cooperative with track records of prudent management and
cohesive membership stand to play a major role in agricultural and rural
development in Nigeria.
International
organizations such as the United Nations (UN), the World Bank and the
International Labour Organization (ILO) are convinced that agricultural
cooperatives can play a vital role in achieving sustainable rural development.
UN (2008) noted that cooperatives are by nature with concerned with democratic
and human values, as well as car8ing for the environment.
Successive
governments in Nigeria recognize that cooperative societies are essential for
the development of the agricultural sector. This laudable goal was supported by
the establishment of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADPs) and he River
Basin and Rural Development Authorities (RBRDAa). Both ADPs and RBRDAs always organize
farmers under their programmes into cooperative group for better co-ordination
of the farmers’ activities. The cooperatives approach to group action has been
effectively utilized by these two programmes. Although, the primary objectives
of forming group farming cooperatives in ADPs and RBRDAs is to increase
agricultural outputs, it has been possible to get them involved in marketing of
their produce as well.
Farmers are
the single largest group of users and managers of land, water, and other
ecological resources throughout the world. Most small holder farmers regardless
of gender require services and information obtainable through membership of
agricultural cooperative. Such information includes appropriate technology and
sound technical advice not only to increase their agricultural productivity and
incomes but also make farming and rural life richer and more sustainable.
Herein lies the retinal why agricultural cooperative is deserving of research
attention particularly in Abaji Area Council where major farming activities are
taking place around the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
1.2 Statement of Research Problem
Small-holder
farmer including Nigeria has accounted for over 90% of all agricultural output
in Nigeria (World Fact Book, 2011). The farmers are burdened with high cost of
farm inputs, insufficient farming techniques, inadequate infrastructure, poor
producers’ prices and heavy constraints in obtaining credits and insurance.
Benson (2004) remarked that the situation is further compounded by the general
economic downturn and governments drive to remove all subsidies on inputs such
as fertilizers, vaccines and foundation stock. Consequently, the cooperative
option comes into focus as viable way to effectively mobilize farmers to form
groups and pool resources so as to become more effective in agricultural
production.
In addition
to the values and principles of cooperatives, Veerakumaran (2005) explained
that cooperative serve as fundamental tool for achieving food security at
household level. Cooperatives are the best institution invention for attaining
food security in any country.
The
developed national like United States of America, Canada, Australia, almost all
European countries and socialist country like China have attained food
self-sufficient through cooperatives (Chambo, 2009)
Gertler
(2001) using the profit model studied the potential impact cooperatives have in
sustaining regional economies in Canada. The results show that cooperatives are
practical vehicles for cooperation, collective action and they build and
reinforce community, stabilize regional economies and provide a favourable
climate for further investment cooperatives reduce inequality and promote
equitable sharing of the cost and benefits of development. Cooperatives can
promote economic democracy and the empowerment of marginalized groups a
hallmark of sustainable development and a precondition for shared
responsibility.
Adefila
(2012) examined the factors influencing the performance of farmers’
cooperatives organization in Gurara Area of Niger State, Nigeria using multiple
regressions. The results from the regression analysis revealed that farmers’
cooperative organizations are variously involved in agricultural development
and that factors’ influencing their role performance.
Include
annual income, experience in farming, leadership training and membership size.
The author concluded that cooperative in whatever form are seriously viewed as
catalyst in the process of rural socio-economic development and the law should
empower cooperatives to perform certain functions, such as strengthening their
bargaining power as effective agents of socio-economic rural transformation.
Ojiako and
Ogbukwa (2012) examined loan repayment capacity of small-holder cooperative
farmers in Yewa North Area Ogun State, Nigeria using regression technique. The
results show that farm credits played vital roles in the socio-economic
transformation of the rural economies. However, loan acquisition and repayment
were characterized by numerous challenges smallholder cooperative farmers’ loan
repayment capacity would require conscious use of policies directed at
increasing loan size and farmers’ farm holdings and/or reducing household size.
Similarly,
Ofuoku and Urang (2009) assessed the effects of cohesion of farmers’
cooperatives societies on loan repayment among members in Delta State, Nigeria
using Spearman’s rank order correlation analysis. The study observed that there
was almost perfect positive relationship between rates of loan repayment
perception and cohesion. Consequently, they recommended that extension agents
should take advantage of the effect of cohesion on loan repayment to promote
cohesion in upcoming cooperative societies.
In
evaluating agricultural credit utilization by cooperative farmers in Benue
State, Nigeria, Okwoche et al (2012), observed a significant difference between
the agricultural output and income of farmers’ before and after the utilization
of loan acquired. The t-test analysis shows that famers joined the farmers’
cooperatives societies mainly to access credit.
They
recommended that the farmers should be adequately motivated with needed credit
facilities as this will further balance agricultural production.
However,
considering various studies (Gartler, 2011 Veerakumareen, 2005; Ofuoku and
Urang, 2011; Adetila, 2012; Ojako and Ogbulewa, 2012; and Okwoche, 2012) it is
on this aforementioned explanation that informed the choice in the development
of agricultural in Abaji Area Council.
1.3 Objective of the Study
In general,
this study set out to determine the extents to which the cooperative societies
can contribute to the development of agriculture in the specific objectives
are:
1. provide insight into the role cooperative
societies plan in the development of agriculture in Abaji Area Council.
2. identify the types of agricultural
cooperative societies in the Area Council
3. examine problems militating against
cooperative activities in Abaji Area Council
4. examine the forms of benefit members
derive from cooperative societies in Abaji Area Council.
5. provide insight into the process through
which the community and cooperative leaders can ensure genuine development of
agriculture in the Area Council through cooperative societies
6. examinethe measures which all the levels
of government will embark on to enhance the cooperatives for better development
in Abaji Area Council.
1.4 Significant of the Study
In
recognition of the worsening food situation in Nigeria, successive developments
have instituted different policies, programmes and project directly or
indirectly connected with agricultural production these programmes include, the
National Accelerate Food Production Programme (NAFPP of 1973), the Nigeria
Agricultural Cooperative Bank (NACB in 1973) transformed to Nigerian
Agricultural and Rural Development Bank (NACRDB) in the year 2000 to reflect
the rural nature of cooperative activities in Nigeria (FGN Budget, 2000), the
Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF of 1976), the Agricultural
Development Projects (ADPs in 1975), operation feed the Nation in 1976, the
River Basin and Rural Development Authority (RBDA in 1976), the Green
Revolution in 1976 and very recently presidential instructive on food
production, National FadamaProgrammes among others.
Despite
these programmes, policies and schemes instituted by the government to improve
agricultural development, the sectors remain backward. Moreover as governments
around the world cut services and withdraw from regulating markets, there is
the need to continuously evaluate strategy that involves the reorganization of
rural producers into viable cooperatives (ICA 2007). Cooperative constitute the
most appropriate instructional mechanism for reaching the million of scattered
peasant producer in the rural areas for ensuring their access to suitable
markets and credits sources for introducing new technologies; skills and
development oriented attitudes; for protecting these peasant farmers from the
exploitation of the middlemen and money lenders and for ensuring effective
participation by the peasants in the development process (Njoku, 1998). In
other words, cooperative are considered the most effective instruments for
mobilizing the pleasant farmers for rural development and for ensuring that
they benefit substantially from the development process.
This study
concentrates on variables of agricultural productivity that makes for
agricultural development. This helps to trace the role of cooperatives to
ownership of farm assets, enterprises assets, enterprise productivity and
increase in farm income to determine their contribution to agricultural development.
This study seeks to contribute to the emerging body of knowledge on how best to
make agricultural cooperative to be more productive, it will deepen the
understanding of the values and principles of cooperatives, incorporating them
into competitive strategies relying on cooperation, trust loyalty as
coordinating forces of economic activities and as sources of competitive
difference in agricultural system.
The
underlying argument of the study is that cooperatives, based upon some
principles represent a unique third way of social organization that enhances
technology development and extension markets information and organization, and
government policy, it is particularly useful in cases of simultaneous markets
and government failure to assure adequate credit, input delivery, technology
training, output delivery and social development in poor areas of Africa
(Brayerman et al 1991).
The findings
of this study will help to suggest to government and non-governmental agencies
how social institutions like agricultural cooperatives could overcome the
problem of low agricultural productivity and betterment of living condition
1.5 Scope of the Study
The spatial
scope of this study is Abaji Area Council Abuja, FCT. The area council is made
up of ten wards: Abaji Central ward, Abaji Southeast ward, Abaji Northeast
ward, NukuSabon-Gari ward, Rimba-Ebagi ward, Yaba ward, Agyana ward, Alumamagi
ward, Guridi ward and Gawu ward.
The content
scope of the study focuses on the influence agricultural cooperativeshave in
gradual but sustained in substitution of local implement with improved or
modern ones and local species with improved ones. That is gradual
transformation from subsistence farming culture to commercial farming.
The choice
of the study area is centered on the fact that agricultural cooperative are
better and efficiently organized in those areas. In addition, the study area is
dominated by poor peasant farmers who come together with common goal of
influencing the value-chain with respect to agricultural production,
distribution, transfer and marketing. The study focused on agricultural
cooperatives such as producers, consumers, marketing and multipurpose. Thrift
and credit and not in any way cooperative in general.
1.6 Research Questions
The
objectives of the study will be served with the following research questions:
1. What role do cooperative societies play
in the development of agriculture in Abaji Area Council?
2. How many types of agricultural
cooperative societies are in Abaji Area Council?
3. What are the problems associated with the
cooperatives in Abaji Area Council?
4. What forms of benefits do members derive
from the cooperative societies in Abaji Area Council?
5. What are the processes that community and
cooperative leaders take to ensure genuine development of agriculture in Abaji
Area Council?
6. What measures can government embark on to
enhance cooperative development?
CHAPTER TWO
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE
2.1 Conceptual Framework of the Study
There are
some fundamental and technical concepts that demand for clarifications in the
way they are being used in this study and they include: the concepts of
development, cooperatives agricultural development.
2.2 Concept of Cooperative
The idea of
people working together is the basis for the formation of cooperatives. The
International Cooperative Alliance (ICA, 2010) as an autonomous association of
persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural
needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled
enterprise. This definition emphasizes that cooperatives are based on the
values of self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality (ICA 2007).
Cooperative
societies are community based, self co0ntrolled and self funded microfinance
institution (Simkhada, 2001) because they are meant to operate at the micro
level in most cases to serve the low level strata of the economy, to people who
in most cases lack access to formal banking system.
Cooperatives
are financial organizations that are owned and controlled by the members and
they provide savings and credit services to their members in the community
(Sharma et al, 2005). Cooperatives are a form of microfinance institutions
owned by group of people who are the members and they provide small scale
financial services-majorly savings and loans just like any other microfinance
institutions to their members. This is different from the formal microfinance institutions
such as the microfinance banks (MFBs) in Nigeria which are meant to serve the
general public. Cooperatives are voluntary associations that are member owned,
self managed and democratically controlled within a specific location (Adebayo
and Yusuf, 2004). The existence of cooperative in a community suggest that they
may be location bound or restricted which also apply to some formal
microfinance institutions especially the MFBs in Nigeria with the microfinance
policy delineating the operational locations of MFB (CBN, 2005) either as a
unit MFB or a state-wide MFB.
Cooperatives
are independent association of people who voluntarily unite to form a jointly
owned and democratically controlled enterprise called cooperatives, to meet
members’ economic, social and cultural needs (Henry and Schimmel, 2011).
Cooperative can be seen as an arrangement designed to improve the lot of
individuals and enhance micro and small scale entrepreneurs both in the rural
and urban areas in mobilizing savings and accessing fund as loans as at when
needed from the scheme. Cooperative societies are privately organized
association of individuals of like minds who come together to operate a savings
and loan programme among themselves (Oluyombo, 2010).
Cooperative
is therefore, owned and controlled by the member who voluntarily come together
based on share on share value to meet members’ needs. Cooperative is an
association of individuals who voluntarily formcooperative societies (Lohlein
and Wehrheim, 2003) who are united in their quest for the economic benefits of
the members. Cooperative can be an intervention based on social intermediation
in which poor people can mobilize their savings, link them with credit and
finally become self employed (Singh, 2004). The social intermediation in
cooperative societies includes training of members on different areas of
vocations, health, literacy, business record keeping and management skills as
found necessary. Social intermediation also include support for member in
trouble such as sickness and those having essential social function to perform
such as burials and weddings.
Cooperative
is one of a range of financialarrangement design to attract the poor as either
borrower and/or savers (Montgomery and Weiss, 2005). Cooperative is a microfinance
arrangement to help the low income earners with financial services that will
enable them to create wealth without any discrepancy as to access financial and
non financialservices that are packaged in a manner that enable those who are
unable to access formal financial services to access comparatively small loans,
saving schemes and other services for working capital and income generation
(Nathan et al, 2004).
Cooperatives
are privately organized institutions that are owned and controlled by their members
(Branch, 2004). One person, one vote is therefore applicable to cooperative
societies because the association is jointly owned and by the members. There is
uniformity in membership class of cooperative members, unlike ownership of a
limited company that can comprise of ordinary shareholders and controlled
enterprise (Alladadi, 2011). “They appear to be the most standardized informal
financial institutions with well organized savings mobilization strategy in the
informal market” (Oloyede, 2008)
Cooperative
societies, also known as credit cooperatives, credit unions, financial
cooperatives, and savings and credit cooperatives could be government
sponsored, members sponsored or programme sponsored (Ghosh and Maharjan, 2001;
Simkhada, 2004). Those names of cooperatives are used interchangeably in this
study to mean the same. The government sponsored cooperatives are cooperatives
established, owned and funded by the government to accomplish it economic
objectives. Cooperatives that are established and owned by the individual
members of the cooperatives are regarded and owned by an existing organization
which may be an NGO, bank, donor etc. with specific purpose of poverty
eradication, target towards a particular group of people in specified location.
Government
of different nations defines and promotes cooperatives according to their own
social, cultural and economic conditions. In America, a cooperative is a
business owned and democratically controlled by the people who use its services
and whose benefits are derived and distributed equitably on the basis of use
(USDA, 1997). In New Zealand, Cooperative Companies Act (1996) defined
cooperative as an organization in which those who transact with the
organization also own and formally control the organization and derive
significant benefits from those transactions over and above any financial
returns they derive from their investment in the organization (Evans and Meade,
2006). In China however, the newly enacted farmers’ cooperatives law defined
cooperatives as a self-help organization which associated voluntarily and
controlled by producers of the same agricultural products or serviceproviders
and users of the same agricultural business operations (Zhang, 1999).
The
definition of cooperatives is built on four major words; first, they are formed
by groups of people, who have a specified need or problem. Second, the
organization is formed freely by members after contributing to its assets.
Thirdly, the organization formed, is governed democratically in order to
achieve desired objectives on equitable norms, and fourth, it is an independent
enterprises promoted, owned and controlled by people to meet their needs (DFID:
2008). It is about peoples’ organization to capture different opportunities in
the economy where they can address their economic needs and aspirations. A
cooperative can therefore provide a hub for organizing particular local
economic interest and/or for protecting common pool resources (Simmons and
Birchall, 2008a).
Agricultural
cooperatives can therefore be defined as voluntary business association formed
by people (mostly farmers) of limited means through contribution of share
capital that forms the basis of sharing out the profits that accrue from the
business (Wanyama, et al 2008). In developed countries, rural cooperatives have
significantly contributed to the mobilization and distribution of financial
capital, created employment, and constituted a forum for education and
training, social welfare and poverty alleviation and other socio-economic
problems (Tanzanian Federation of Cooperatives, 2006). Agricultural
cooperatives offer new opportunities for farmers to expand and strengthen their
own organization to reach their full economic and social potential. It is an
organization created by people of common felt need and means to help their
members both from a business point of view, as they enable private farmers to
benefit from economies of scale and stimulate competition, and from a social
point of view, since they encourage cohesion and cooperation at the community
level.
There are
three main types of cooperatives:
(i) Consumer Cooperatives that enable members
to buy or obtain goods or services close to cost price.
(ii) Producer Cooperatives that enable members
to achieve higher profits through reduced input costs and better marketing.
(iii) Worker or employee owned Cooperatives that
provide members with opportunities for employment and skills improvement (UN,
2009). Irrespective of the type, the Cooperatives business model operates on
the same values and principles that confer to their members the triple benefits
of ownership, control and utility. Cooperatives are classified as business and
social enterprises (UN, 2009). Many key international development agencies such
as the UN, World Bank, ILO and FAO recognize the enormous current and potential
contribution made by cooperatives as social and business enterprises in terms
of economic development, development of social capital including social
inclusion, social integration and cohesion, gender equity, democratization,
equity (fairness and Justice), community development and environmental
management (Birchall, 2008).
2.3 Agricultural Development
Agricultural
development is an integral part of national development. It is that aspect of
development that is related to agrarians. Considering the contribution of
agriculture to the socio-economic development of many countries, several
scholars have postulated theories linking agriculture with national
development. Agricultural development is defined as the process that creates
the conditions for the fulfillment of agricultural potential. Those conditions
include the accumulation of knowledge and availability of technology as well as
the allocation of inputs and output. Therefore, Agricultural development can be
viewed as another area of development, which connotes improvement in the
principles and practice of agriculture given both human and material resources
that will result in maximum output from a combination of minimum input (Ashley
and Maxwell, 2001).
Agricultural
development in Nigeria faces several constraints; the most critical of these
include lack of appropriate technology, land tenure system, inputs problems,
under developed marketing system, lack of finance and lack of coherent national
policy framework. While most of these problems have generated a lot of interest
and debate among academics and policy makers in Nigeria. Much still needs to be
done by the government in establishing tentative development projects and
programmes for the achievement of national objectives. Again the most crucial,
is provision of deliberate frame work for policy consistency in the execution
of such Agricultural development programmes(Nkang et al).
Today when
population is increasing so fast, there is the need to think more seriously
about the improvement of farming methods in order to get increasing yield of
food and raw materials to the society and industries. Afterall, (Komolofe and
Joy, 1990) had remarked that Agricultural development basically means getting
more out of soil in the farm of crops and breading more live stock in order to
meet the word’s increasing needs. The things that need to be developed include
the soil growing crops breading and raising farm animals, processing, packaging
and storing.
However,
Todaro (2009) viewed Agricultural development as the transformation of
agricultural sectors through three stages of agricultural production. The first
is the low productivity, mostly subsistence pattern of production characterized
by peasant farmers still prevalent in Africa. The second stage is diversified
or mixed family agriculture, where a small part of the produce is grown for
domestic consumption and a significant part for sale to the commercial sector
as food in parts of Asia. The third stage represent the modern farm, with high
productivity engaging in specialized Agricultural development can be described
in terms of global but sustained transition from subsistence to diversified and
specialized production.
Again
Agricultural development was recognized as agricultural modernization as you
have in irrigation schemes employing innovative ideas, modern techniques that
dramatically reduces hunger and poverty and diversified the economy (Bill and
Melinda Gates Foundation, 2009). In the context of Nigeria, Agricultural
development can be expressed as a gradual transformation from subsistence’s
farming culture to commercial farming, from the use of inefficient farming
methods to the use of more efficient farming methods and techniques. The
process will involve the gradual substitutionof local species with improved
ones.
Agricultural
development promotes the proper conditions for farming so that planting, harvesting
and processing of crops can be done effectively, which ultimately can empower
small holders and reduce poverty (World Bank, 2002). In Nigeria problems with
roads and infrastructure interface with farmer’s ability to sell his or her
goods. Communication is another component to agricultural practices. This is
because in other for a farmer to know the type of crop they must yield to
generate a profit, they need to know the market prices for the type of crops
they are growing. Solving these problems is where agricultural development and
government funding come into play. Example, until some developing nations adapt
aggressive funding programmes to improveharvesting conditions, agricultural
development is limited. There are endowments and foundations, however, which
embark large sums of capital towards improving farming conditions in
development nations.
The
implementation of new technology may require new forms of social organization
such as regrouping of peasant in peasant’s associations to allow the distribution
of inputs, and information on the application. These continue efforts may
affect peasant values, and, subsequently, goes. If this plan is successful,
peasants may change their cropping patterns in favour of crops which provide
more profitable (Birchall, 2004). This has effects on other parts of the farm,
and may for instance; cause a reduction of animal husbandry. If the proceeds of
animal husbandry belong traditionally to the women, as in some societies, this
affects the internal relation of the family.
A change in
land tenure affects in turn the power structure and may change the goal-setters
in the societies and, thus, the relevant goals (Serag, 1995). This example
could be elaborated further. It all resolves in the recognition that then system
approach reflects most closely in development process, and projects and
programmes aiming at one isolated element of the system are dysfunctional. It
is true that it often is very difficult to countrified the influence of
individual elements. This, however, most not prevent understanding development
as a system of interrelated changes which requires integrated intend of
isolated measures. Development is one of the main goals that all communities
try to achieved in other improve the living standards of individuals in those
communities (Muhamed, 2004). Agricultural cooperatives haveplayed an important
role in rural development through development of agriculture. The agriculture
cooperatives are considered to be the most important organizations that pay attention
and try to support rural development in general and the agriculture development
in particular through the activities and services achieved for the sake of
farmers (Mohamed 2004).
Levin (2002)
remarked that although cooperatives are economic organizations in the first
place, they also have social aims in addition to the economic ones they seek.
They aim at developing the agricultural processes with its various fields as
well as participating in achieving the rural development in villages. The role of
the cooperative is not only confined to providing farm inputs such as
fertilizers, seedling and chemical materials, but also engaged in symposiums
for the farmers to acquire necessary knowledge and skills on new technology
that aims at increasing agricultural production and promoting rural welfare.
The cooperatives also seek to urge members to participate in social activities
(UN, 1990)
The Role of
Agricultural Cooperatives in Agricultural Development.
A
cooperative is a widespread and important governance structure within the
agricultural sector. The cooperatives sector worldwide is comprised of
approximately 800 million members in over 100 countries and it’s estimated to
account for more than 100 million jobs around the world (ICA, 2007).
Agricultural cooperatives in particular, account for 80 to 90% of milk
production in Norway, New Zealand and United States; 71% of fishery production
in the republic of Korea; and 40% of agriculture in Brazil (ICA, 2007).
Cooperatives
are important form of organizational structure in many agricultural markets.
For example, in the EU, cooperatives firms account for over 60% of the harvest,
handling and marketing of agricultural products, with a turnover of
approximately 210, 000 Million Euros (Gertler, 2001). Furthermore, over 50% of
global agricultural output is marketed through cooperatives (Bibby & Shaw,
2005). There are several benefits that farmers receive from being part
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THE PROBLEM AND PROSPECTS OF COCOYAM
PRODUCTION
ABSTRACT
It is a common practice in Nigeria
and other West Africa Countries especially in area lying within the rainforest
belt, with thick vegetation cover, the aim of management should be to avoid
excessive and inadequate level of farming system and maintains sufficient for
planting of cocoyam. The study therefore seeks to examine and appraise the
problems and prospects of cocoyam production in our society, a case study of
Ovia North East Local Government Area.
TABLE OF CONTENT
CHAPTER ONE
Background of the study
Statement of the problem
Research questions
Purpose of the study
Significance of the study
Scope of the study
Limitation of the study
Definition of terms
CHAPTER TWO
Historical Literature review
CHAPTER THREE
Research methodology
Research design
Population of the study
Research instrument
Data collection
Statistical techniques
CHAPTER FOUR
Data presentation and interpretation
of result
CHAPTER FIVE
Summary, conclusion and
recommendation
REFERENCES
QUESTIONNAIRE
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1
BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
Cocoyam (colocasia spp and xanthosoma
spp) is grown in the tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world
particularly in Africa for human nutrition, animal feed, and cash income for
both farmers and traders (Onwueme and Chales, 1994). Cocoyam is vegetative
propagated using the corms and to a lesser extent the cormels. As food for
human consumption, the nutritional value parts of cocoyam is primarily caloric
(Davis et al, 1992). The underground cormels provides easily digested starch;
and the leaves are nutritious spinach like vegetable, which give a lot of
minerals, vitamins and thiamine (Tambong et al, 1997).
There are two major types commonly
grown in Nigeria namely; colocasia spp and xanthosma spp. In Nigeria, it is
regarded as a major crop especially in X2 female headed household. Nigeria is
one of the largest producers of cocoyam in the world contributing about 40% of
total annual production okinpshectares of land out of the total arable land of
27,900.00 hectares under cocoyam production.
Cocoyam grows in association with
other food and tree crops a system mostly practiced by subsistence farmers in
Nigeria. The bulk of the production of cocoyam is in South East, Nigeria
(Enyinnia, 2001). Cocoyam is regarded as
a major food crop in Nigeria especially in female headed households. Nwabuzor
(2001) noted that cocoyam can be consumed in various forms when boiled, fried,
pounded or roasted. It can also be processed into chips (“achicha”) which has a
long shelf and provides food all year round especially during lean planting
season (Asadu, 2006). Cocoyam leaves are also used as vegetable for preparing
soup in various part of the world. There is a decline in the yields of cocoyam
on the past few years. As population pressure on land continues to increases,
the importance of cocoyam in ensuring household food security is given adequate
recognition even through the present yield are still below expectation. This
could be attributed to a lot of factors such as climate variation, drought,
poor cultural practices among cocoyam growers, pest and diseases infestation
(Ezenwu, 2010).
Despite the usefulness of cocoyam
corms and leaves in human nutrition, its production and processing in Nigeria
is faced with a lot of challenges. Some of these challenges are the alarming
rate of land degradation and lack of improved varieties for commercial cocoyam
and leaf production. Decreasing rainfall and poor soil have also been
identified as some of the challenges processing of cocoyam in Nigeria (Osagoe,
2006). Therefore, this study was carried out with the broad objective of
ascertaining strategies for improving cocoyam production and processing among
women farmers in Edo State, Nigeria.
1.2
STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
In any human endeavour, there are
bound to be some obstacle or hindrance in any of achieving exception to this
general rule. Hence this research is designed to find out the problem and
prospects of cocoyam production in Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo
State.
1.3
PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
The main aim of the study is to examine
and appraise the problem and prospects of cocoyam production in our society, a
case study of Ovia North East Local Government Area.
To know the number of farmer producing cocoyam in the local government
area.
To know the type of production system.
Identifying problem of cocoyam production
1.4
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
It is a common practice in Nigeria
and other West Africa countries especially in area lying within the rainforest
belt with thick vegetation cover, the aim of management should be avoid
excessive and inadequate level of farming system and maintains enough stock raw
materials in period of short supply and anticipate price changes.
1.5
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
This study is centred on planning of
cocoyam in our local government council (Ovia North East) with more emphasis on
cocoyam production. Survey is a broad discipline that cannot be treated in full
in this study. The researcher while trying to obtain information from
respondents encountered certain drawback which hindered on farming system.
This investigation had a very limited
for the study and they only limited time for the study and they only limited
the work.
1.6
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is centered on planting of
cocoyam in our local government council (Ovia North East) with more emphasis on
cocoyam production. Survey is a broad discipline that cannot be treated in full
in this study. The researcher while trying to obtain information from
respondents encountered certain drawback which hindered on farming system.
1.8
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Cocoyam: Cocoyam are herbaceous
perennial plants belonging to the family araceae and are grown primarily of
their edible roots, although all parts of the plant are edible. Cocoyam that
are cultivated as food crops belong to either the genus colocasia or the genus
xanthosoma and are generally comprised of a large spherical corm (swollen
underground storage stem), from which a few large leaves emerge.
Problem: A problem is a road block in
a situation, something that sets up a conflict and forces you to find a
resolution.
Prospect: A prospect is the
possibility that something fabulous will happen. After you graduate top of your
class at Harvard, for example, your job prospects look great.
Production: The process of making or
growing something for scale or use.
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(3)
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(4)
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Name: AMUTAH DANIEL CHUKWUDI
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Number: 2023350498
Bank:
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