THE EFFECT OF COOPERATIVE MEMBERSHIP ON THE INCOME OF SMALL SCALE FARMERS

This study examines "the effect of cooperative membership on the income of small scale farmers”. The problems encountered by cooperative in distributing farm inputs include: ineffective role of government and late arrival of farm inputs when needed most for high productivity. The method adopted by the researcher to carry out the research work is descriptive method. The researcher uses this method because it identifies the various characteristics of a problem under study and does not deal with the testing of hypothesis. It can be deduced from the study that cooperatives are credible platform for promoting agricultural production. Cooperatives have done these through their activities which ensured affordable farm inputs. Among the recommendations made were Government agencies in the State could be of assistance to the cooperative societies by offering those grants and credit to improve their capacity to continue to assist the members (farmers). Cooperative awareness campaigns should be embarked upon by both the government and the cooperative movement to sensitive farmers on the benefits of cooperative membership via supply of quality and affordable farm inputs. Efforts are still needed by the cooperative societies in providing and disseminating information on improved varieties of the usual crops and seedlings for adoption by the cooperative farmers. This will improve their farm yield and revenue.