Role of Cooperative Societies in Boosting Agricultural Production & Entrepreneurship in the Kebbi State of Nigeria.

Abstract

The study Assess the Role & contributions of cooperative societies in boosting agricultural production & Entrepreneurship in the Kebbi State of Nigeria. A total of 120 sample size was used for the study. Cluster sampling technique was used to obtaining information from sample respondents (members of farmers’ cooperative societies). Sixty (60) questionnaires were administered to sixty respondents, each in both Zuru and Yauri Local Government Areas. Data collected was analysed and interpreted using simple percentage and descriptive methods. The major conclusions drawn from this research were: survey results, regarding effectiveness of cooperative societies in improving agricultural production & Entrepreneurship, have shown that 33.3% and 25% of the respondents in Zuru and Yauri Local Government Areas reported promoting farmers’ participation in agriculture, while 25% and 46% agreed to boost agricultural production in the study areas. About 36.6% and 35% believed in the effectiveness of cooperative societies in increasing food production. Sample respondents in the two Local Government Areas 5% and 3.3% reported all of the above indicators increase the effectiveness of cooperatives to agriculture. Survey results regarding the role of cooperatives in boosting Entrepreneurship in the study areas shows that 75% Zuru 88.3% Yauri agreed that cooperatives have added value to boosting Agric production & Entrepreneurship and only 15% and 11.6% did not agree with the above opinion. Many problems were identified that affects the smooth functioning of cooperatives and solutions for addressing the problems were recommended. Therefore it was concluded that Null Hypothesis HO is rejected and Alternate Hypothesis HA is accepted.