ABSTRACT

The study evaluated the participation of cocoa farmers in co-operatives in lkwuano Local Government Area of Abia State)Nigeria The objectives were to determine the socio-economic characteristics of cocoa farmers the level of their participations in cooperative activities as well as to identify the factors affecting the ef1eLiveness of cocoa co-operatives and suggest' ways of enhancing active participation in cocoa farmer's co-operatives. Purposive Wand multi-stage Random sampling was used in selecting one hundred and twenty (120)' cocoa farmers from thern two communities (Oboro and lbere). Data were collected using. structured questionnaire. (Frequency table) and regression analysis. The results of the study showed that most members of the cocoa farmers uhion were rnae, with an age bracket of 51-60 years, having a house hold: size of 6-10 members. The educational qualification of most of the. farmers was. FSLC. The population involved ih co-operative activities showed that few are actively participating Despite the few, major problems, were that membership was low and there was lack of government assistance, in addition to bad leadership of the unicn and poor informatioh dissminqtion. The study recommended the use' of soft loan as a ey of encouraging members and attracting non members to join any cocoa co-ôperativeof their choice, and also to encourage members to participate actively. It also recommended that members shOuld see cooperative society as a share holders" association.