Opportunities, Chall Enges and Contribution of Cooperatives for a Agricultural Benefits: • The Case of Multi-Purpose Cooperatives In Enderta Woreda, Tigray Region
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Abeba university
Abstract
The study is conducted in Enderta Woreda, Tigray Region. Three primary
co-operatives are taken to assess the overall challenges and opportunities
of co-operatives for agricultural development. Data were collected by
interviewing 180 respondents based on questioner The assessment was
supplemented by qualitative data collected from focused group
discussion, key informants interview, documents to provide background
information and to investigate opportunities and challenges.
The study results show that the policy measure 147/98 has createel gooe!
environment for the development of co-operatives. There are about 56
different type of co-operatives established in the woreda s lUely ClreC/.
Supply of inputs, the existence of household package, provis ion or creelit .
dividend given to members has shown members that they have iJelle/ireci
from co-operatives. Growth of co-operatives in total nLllniJer, WI Ll
membership, tax exemption, and the act of regional government as
collateral for credit made, are some of opportunities gained to strengthen
co-operatives.
High price and scarcity of inputs, the existence of private busines s in the
market which resulted in no difference in price and quality of inputs is
seen as challenges. The study shows that co-operatives do not provide the
opportunity of product market of their members. Minimal support 0)'
government is another challenge in the study. Violation of co-operatives
regulation, lack of sense of ownership, and lade of trained human resou rce
are main problems identified in the study.
According to the study, co-operatives are not operating eJlectively anel
efficiently and lack co-operative spirit. They are not exploiting the po tential
opportunities of the policy environment. Therefore awareness creation and,
capacity building are very important to realize their potential opportunities.
Co-operative management skill, entrepreneurial knowledge training and
ethical altitudes and competitiveness are basic ins truments to realize and
improve their bargaining power in agricultural productivity
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Keywords
Agricultural Benefits