Publication Details
Abstract
This study evaluates the effect of cooperative membership on agricultural productivity among farmers in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State. Utilizing a cross-sectional survey of 497 respondents selected through stratified random sampling, the research investigates how various dimensions of cooperative engagement influence agricultural output. The independent variables examined include Membership Status, Duration of Membership, Level of Participation, Access to Cooperative Resources, and Membership Size, while the dependent variable is measured by Agricultural Output, quantified in total crop yield per hectare. The econometric analysis employed the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression technique to determine the relationship between cooperative membership variables and agricultural productivity. The results indicate that Membership Status has a positive and statistically significant effect on output (β = 0.152, p < 0.05), suggesting that being a member enhances productivity. Duration of Membership also positively influences output (β = 0.087, p < 0.01), implying that longer-term members benefit more from cooperative activities. Level of Participation exhibits a strong positive association (β = 0.203, p < 0.001), highlighting the importance of active engagement in cooperative activities. Access to Cooperative Resources significantly boosts productivity (β = 0.174, p < 0.01), underscoring the role of resource availability such as credit, inputs, and training. Conversely, Membership Size shows a negligible and statistically insignificant effect (β = 0.045, p > 0.05) on agricultural output. The findings suggest that cooperative membership and active participation considerably improve agricultural productivity among farmers in Edo State. Based on these results, it is recommended that policymakers and cooperative organizers focus on encouraging active participation, providing accessible resources, and fostering long-term membership retention. Strengthening cooperative frameworks could therefore serve as a strategic approach to enhance agricultural productivity and improve farmers' livelihoods in the region.