The power of members in co-operatives: assessing members’ participation in decision making process from selected agricultural marketing co-operatives in Shinyanga region, Tanzania

Abstract

Based on their structure and legal framework, the control and power of making decisions in co operatives of all types is vested on the members, including those in agricultural marketing co operatives (AMCOS). Through general meetings, members exercise their democratic rights and power to make various decisions on matters that affect their welfare. The current paper aims to share knowledge on how members in AMCOS participate in decision making rocs as part of exercising their power. The paper is based on the findings from the cross-sectional study conducted in three AMCOS of Ibadakuli, Uzogole and Kizumbi in Shinyanga region, Tanzania in 2018. Specifically the paper centred on; assessing socio-demographic characteristics of members participating in the AMCOS; frequency of general meetings and members’ attendance; nature of members’ participation in general meetings; members’ participations in co-operative projects cycle and; the perceptions of members on the decision making process. The paper uses primary data collected through questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussion (FGD). The sample size was determined by convenience method but the selection was done randomly using rotary method to reduce biasness of non-mathematical sampling techniques. A total of 100 respondents were covered in through questionnaire administration, five (5) participants involved in FGD and ten (10) in key informant interview. Generally, the study found limited number of youth and women participating in AMCOS and most of the members were men aged above 60 years. General meetings were found not be held regularly as required and members’ attendance was also low. In general meetings, members’ participations has been high in; electing leaders; approving by-laws and budget and; follow up on agenda and low in other aspects indicating partial participation of members in some key matters in the meeting. In co-operative projects (investments), members participated mostly in identification, approval and financing and implementation while less involved in other aspects such as preparations, monitoring and evaluation. Despite all these, still members had some positive views on how decisions are made in their AMCOS and revealed to have control of decision making process, democracy is observed and they somehow get feedback on implementation of previous decisions. It was also found that members do not have opportunity to access meeting documents and agenda in advance and sometimes leaders and staff tend to influence them in approving issues in meetings. The paper conclude that members participation is biased with age and sex inequalities and meetings are not held frequently as required which all are likely to affect the strength an sustainability of the AMCOS. However to some extent, members have the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights and power in making decisions through general meetings. The paper generally recommends for continuous provision of co-operative education to members, leaders and management and external stakeholders continue working closely with the AMCOS to ensure that governance practices are well exercised and power of members is sustainably safeguarded.