EFFECT OF FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETIES ON THE ADOPTION OF AGRO-INPUTS IN ABIA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The study provided empirical evidence on the effect of farmers participation in cooperative societies on utilization of agro-inputs in Abia State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain farmers involvement in cooperative societies, ascertain the extent of utilization of agro-inputs and examine the constraints to adoption of agro-inputs among farmers who were members of farmers’ cooperative societies. Multi-stage random sampling technique was used in selecting 162 respondents for the study.  Data were collected from the registered members of co-operatives with structured questionnaire and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. The result revealed the grand mean of 4.07 indicating that farmers’ participation in the activities of their cooperatives societies in Abia State was high. A grand mean of t 3.39 showed that farmers who were members of cooperatives, who participated in activities had high adoption of agro-inputs in the study area.  A grand mean of 4.43 indicated that the respondents were faced with many challenges in adopting agro-inputs in the study area. The coefficient of involvement in cooperative activities was statistically significant at 5% probability level and positively related to utilization of agro-inputs in the study area.   Membership of co-operatives by farmers can enhance their access to agro-input as they come together to achieve a common goal. Membership also facilitated utilization of agro-inputs. It was therefore recommended that farmers in Abia State participate in cooperative organizations as this will enhance their extent of adoption of agro-inputs.