Factors Affecting Marketing Cooperative Societies in Kilosa and Morogoro Districts

Abstract

This study presents on analysis of the factors that affected the performance of marketing cooperative societies in Kilosa and Morogoro districts using a sample of five cooperative societies in Kilosa and four Cooperative societies in Morogoro district. Ten villages were also surveyed in the two districts to get farmers’ opinions about the cooperative societies. A total of 40 farmers were interviewed. Unit Analytical tool was used in data analysis. However, descriptive statistics like averages and percentages contained in tables were also used. The analysis was based on 1985/86 and 1986/87 audited society accounts. Factors arising from the cooperative society system itself and from without were analysed basing on five specific objectives. In the study, it was observed that, the cooperative societies in the two districts operate at a very high unit cost with most of the costs being contributed by costs of crop shortages/ losses. These have meant that the management have not been efficient in controlling both the funds and the crops they purchase from the farmers. On the other hand, farmers have complained that selling their crops to the cooperatives has had the following problems: low producer prices, payment delay for the crops collected by the cooperatives, and too many deductions made on the payments for the produce sold. Due to the above problems, it was recommended that the government should intervene the current problems identified in encouraging and enabling auditors to work harder and timely. Measures to be taken t incorporate extension officers into the cooperative system, prompt payment to farmers be made, the cooperative unions should review the input distribution network and loan recovery system from farmer