| dc.description.abstract | This study was aimed at assessing the factors influencing participation in cooperatives among coffee farmers in Bukhanakwa, Busano sub-county, Mbale district. Coffee is one of the agricultural crops which is marked through cooperatives. Uganda is found to have a large number of coffee producers, processors and exporting companies, agencies and personalities that are authorized by the Uganda promotion board in conjunction with other agencies. This research was therefore conducted with the main objective of assessing the factors influencing participation in cooperatives. Specifically, the research had three objectives which are, (i) to compare the characteristics of the farmers that market through cooperatives and those who don’t, (ii) to determine variables that influence farmers to market through cooperatives, (iii) to identify major problems of coffee farmers in marketing with cooperatives. A sample of 80 coffee farmers were randomly selected to provide the primary data that was used during the study. During data collection, structured questionnaires which contained open and close ended questions where used. Secondary data was collected from past reports and through internet search. Results for objective one show that most of the farmer’s market through cooperatives. With regard to objective two, the variables that influence farmers to market their coffee through coffee through cooperatives included; age, education, acreage and access to credit. Relating to objective three, both farmers who market through cooperatives and those who don’t face various problems such as bad roads, theft and price fluctuation. In conclusion, coffee cooperatives have played an important role in motivating coffee farmers hence development of coffee production within the country. Therefore, farmers who have not yet engaged in marketing through cooperatives should be encouraged to do so. The government through the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries should make sure that the coffee farmers in different regions of Uganda including Bukhanakwa are sensitized about the importance of marketing through cooperatives. However, they have to first make sure that farmers have access to some information that pertains the benefits of marketing through cooperatives. This can be done through extension service agents | en_US |
