The benefits and challenges of agricultural marketing co-operatives in Moshi district, Tanzania

Abstract

The agricultural and marketing co-operatives societies (AMCOS) in Tanzania deal with production, processing, transporting and marketing of various crops. Given the changes in the natural, economic and business environment in the world, the changes have created both benefits and severe challenges to the AMCOS dealing with coffee. What are the existing benefits and challenges facing AMCOS today? To address this question, this paper aimed to assess the challenges and benefits of coffee agricultural marketing co-operatives in Moshi District. Specifically, the paper focused on three issues being; determining the social benefits of AMCOS; determining economic benefits of AMCOS and also identified the challenges facing AMCOS. A cross sectional design was applied where data were mainly collected through focus group discussion (FGD) method. The data were analysed using content analysis method. Three coffee AMCOS of Mweka Sungu, Mruwia and Uru North Njari were studied. It was found that AMCOS have been useful in promoting social and economic development to the members and the general community. However, the AMCOS also face numerous challenges affecting their effectiveness in serving members. The study has gone further on recommending on some viable strategies to overcome challenges and increase more benefits to the membership.