Analyzing Farm Operations Cooperation Groups in Central Agricultural Zone of Delta State Nigeria

Subject Areas : Agricultural Extension

Albert  Ukaro Ofuoku ¹ (Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Delta State University, Asaba Campus, PMB 95074, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria)

Received: 2015-12-24 Accepted : 2015-12-24 Published : 2014-12-01

Keywords: Farm Operations Groups, Group Cohesion, Group Benefits,

Abstract :

T he purpose of this study was to examine farm operations cooperation groups in Central Agricultural Zone of Delta State, Nigeria. All the members of the six selected groups were used for the study. The data which were collected with the use of questionnaire and interview schedule were analyzed with the use of frequency counts, percentages and Tobit regression model. Most of the members were females and were also mostly married. Most of them were educated formally and had average household size of 5 persons and average farm size of 2.5 ha. They had an average farming experience of 13 years and most of them had no contact with extension agents. Household members emigrated from most (76.50%) households. They subscribed to these groups because of reduction of labour cost, timely execution and conclusion of farm operations, exchange of ideas and information, expansion of farm size and reduction of drudgery involved in farming. They were mostly satisfied with their various groups. They however had challenges ranging from irregular meeting attendance, inadequate access to extension service, too high membership strength to lateness to work. Inadequate membership strength was also a constraint to few of the groups. The farmers’ decision to subscribe to their various groups was informed or influenced by their marital status, level of education, household size, farm size, farming experience, extension visit contact with other farmers, and emigration of household members. It was recommended that extension agents should establish frequent contacts with the various groups and educate them on the importance of time and regular meeting attendance. The groups with bloated membership strength should be split into two groups while farmers need to be encouraged to subscribe to those groups with inadequate membership strength

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