Opportunities Performance and Constraints of Coffee Farmers' Cooperative Unions in Ethiopia: The Case of Kafa Forest Coffee Farmers' Cooperative Union in Snnprs
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Date
2007-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Due to the drastic decline of coffee prices in the world market, many smallholder farmers
in Ethiopia switched to growing khat (chat), and some others cut the trees giving shade to
the coffee plants to produce fuel wood. To reverse the catastrophe, export targeted coffee
jilrmers' cooperative unions were established. This study attempts to assess the
opportunities and examine the performance and constraints of Coffee Farmers'
Cooperative Unions in Ethiopia by taking the case of KFCU in Kafa zone of the
SNNP RS. Four cooperatives were purposively selected out of twenty-six primary
cooperatives that constitute the KFCU The study employed combinations of qualitative
and quantitative methods of data collection to generate relevant information. The
findings of the study showed that due to the constraints it encountered, the union is not
able to exploit the opportunities and thus ends up with the low level of performance. The
study argues that in a hastily established cooperative society like the KFCU where the
basic principles of cooperative are not ingrained, the opportunities presented are
rhetorical articulations. In line with this, it was indicated that, among others, lack of
education and training, lack of democratic control which is manifested by external
interference and weak organizational strength are the impediments to the union's
activities. The study concluded that low level of performance shall not lead to abandon
the union but save it through a closer examination of those causes of failure. It further
emphasized, despite the failures of many cooperatives, one should not forget that there
are also many success stories both in the North and in the South. It is thus recommended
that, among others, launching education and training programs, avoiding external
interference and enhancing legitimate government support, establishing an independent
Advisory Board to the Union's Board of Management are the gateways to future success.
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Keywords
Coffee Farmers'