Impacts Of Agricultural Marketing And Cooperative Society To The Members’ Livelihood: A Case Of Chabuma In Chamwino District

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in Chamwino District council at Chinangali ward aiming at assessing the impacts of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperative Society to the members‟ livelihood, a case of CHABUMA AMCOS in Chamwino District. Specifically, the study intended to identify types of membership and mode of participation, to evaluate functions of CHABUMA and to evaluate the implementation of AMCOS function on the livelihood of its members. The study employed cross sectional survey to achieve these ends. A combination of data collection techniques such as questionnaires, documentary review, observation, focus group discussion and interviews were used to ensure validity and reliability of the research findings. The study revealed that agricultural marketing and cooperative society regardless of their low earnings from grape production has a positive impact as it: increases the standard of living, ensure food security, improves education level to their family member, improves nutrition status of the family member, improves access to safe and clean water and it reduces maternal and child mortality. Also, to some members it creates the ability to invest the money obtained from their involvement with AMCOS to other income generating activities. In carrying out their grape production farmers were faced with different challenges such as insufficient capital unreliable markets unreliable supply of inputs, drought, and shortage of water caused by unreliable electric supply, termites and high cost of debt management from CRDB Bank. The study recommends that grape farmers should be supported to the extent that they can perform their farming activities easy. Therefore, government should assist them in all aspects especially, to the obstacles that encounter them like unreliable market, loan with high interest rate and should assist them in payment of CRDB debt.