Determinants of smallholder farmers' membership in co-operative societies: evidence from rural Kenya

• Published in: International journal of social economics Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 165 - 179
• Main Authors: Miroro, Obadia Okinda, Anyona, Douglas Nyambane, Nyamongo, Isaac, Bukachi, Salome A., Chemuliti, Judith, Waweru, Kennedy, Kiganane, Lucy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 03.02.2023; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Agricultural development; Agricultural production; Chi-square test; Cocoa; Commercialization; Costs; Development agencies; Educational attainment; Farmers; Household size; Households; Immunization; Intervention; Livestock; Local government; Membership; Milk; Peer review; Polls & surveys; Rural areas; Technology adoption; Malawi; Zambia; Thailand; Nigeria; Kenya; Kazakhstan; Ethiopia; India; Smallholder farmers; Co-operative membership; Livelihoods
• ISSN: 0306-8293; 1758-6712
• DOI: 10.1108/IJSE-03-2022-0165

PurposeDespite the potential for co-operatives to improve smallholder farmers' livelihoods, membership in the co-operatives is low. This study examines factors that influence smallholder farmers' decisions to join agricultural co-operatives.Design/methodology/approachThis study involved a survey of 1,274 smallholder chicken farmers. The data were analysed through a two-sample t-test of association, Pearson's Chi-square test and binary probit regression model.FindingsThe results suggest that farming as the main source of income, owning a chicken house, education attainment, attending training or accessing information, vaccination of goats and keeping a larger herd of goats are the key factors which significantly influence co-operative membership. However, gender, age, household size, distance to the nearest agrovet, vaccinating chicken and the number of chickens kept do not influence co-operative membership.Research limitations/implicationsThe survey did not capture data on some variables which have been shown to influence co-operative membership. Nevertheless, the results show key explanatory variables which influence membership in co-operatives.Practical implicationsThese findings have implications for development agencies that seek to use co-operatives for agricultural development and improvement of smallholder farmers' livelihoods. The agencies can use the results to initiate interventions relevant for different types of smallholder farmers through co-operatives.Originality/valueThis study highlights the influence of smallholder farmers' financial investments in farming and the extent of commercialisation on co-operative membership. Due to low membership in co-operatives, recognising the heterogeneity of smallholder farmers is the key in agricultural development interventions through co-operative membership.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2022-0165.