The role of saving and credit cooperatives in improving the production of maize among small scale farmers in Mukono district
Abstract
The study was carried out to assess the role of saving and credit cooperatives in improving the production of maize among small scale farmers in Mukono district. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the role of selected SACCOs in improving maize production in Mukono district. This was achieved through assessing the characteristics of the Savings and credit co-operatives in the area, assessing the determinants of how much money is borrowed by SACCO members for maize production and examining whether loans provided by SACCOs contribute to improved maize production in Mukono district. The study covered Mukono district at large focusing on the small-scale maize farmers participating in SACCOS and those who are not participating in the last one year. A cross-sectional research design was adopted and also use of both quantitative and descriptive techniques were employed in this study. The population of the study was comprised of small-scale maize farmers, those who are in SACCOs and those who are not members. The study involved the use of purposive and convenience sampling techniques. Convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from accessible small scale maize farmers. Also, both primary and secondary data was employed in this study. The questionnaires
were used to collect data from the respondents. Data was analyzed using statistical computer SPSS version 16. Percentages, frequencies, means and standard deviations were generated. Regression models were also used to establish the relationship between the study variables. Field results were obtained from 90 respondents. From the data analyzed, it was revealed that majority (73%) of the study participants were males. More so, its males most, and these were all adults, many had secondary education, and had grown maize for more than 11 years. Many are in SACCOs and did subscribe to loans and may other services. Therefore, basing on these conclusions, it is recommended that Farmers
should join SACCOs and subscribe to them fully and increase on their savings to improve on the amount of loan they can acquire from the SACCOs since the amount of loan required depends on the level of savings among others.