Analysis of Factors Affecting Proper Functioning of Smallholder Agricultural Cooperatives in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

• Published in: Journal of human ecology (Delhi) Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 150 - 157
• Main Authors: Thaba, K., Anim, F.D.K., Tshikororo, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 01.06.2016
• Subjects: Discriminant Analysis; Functional and Dysfunctional; Smallholder Cooperatives
• ISSN: 0970-9274; 2456-6608
• DOI: 10.1080/09709274.2016.11906997

The present study determined factors that affected the proper functioning of smallholder-cooperatives in the Lepelle Nkumpi municipality, Limpopo Province of South Africa. By employing discriminant analysis, data collected from 140 cooperative members from 13 different agricultural cooperative were analysed to identify factors that can be used to discriminate between functional and dysfunctional agricultural cooperatives. The results indicated that the independent variables that accounted for most the differences between functional and dysfunctional cooperatives were size of cooperative, availability of stakeholders to assist in improving the level of skill of members, satisfaction of members with assistance provided, number of females in the cooperative, number of years the cooperative had been in existence, members participation in decision making and age group. It was recommended that government should intensify efforts to improve skills of members and also provide assistance to the satisfaction of cooperative members in order to assist cooperatives to become functional.