Agricultural Co-operatives Activities and Improved Performance of Women Co-operative Farmers in Nigeria

The study centred on agricultural co-operative activities and improved productivity of women in Enugu State, Nigeria. The specific objectives were to ascertain the extent to which co-operative credit and farm inputs access influence agricultural productivity among women farmers and determine the extent to which co-operative training and capacity-building programs influence farm income level of women farmers. Descriptive survey research design was adopted, with 351 co-operative members sampled through a multistage sampling technique. A structure questionnaire, thoroughly validated with its reliability coefficient (∞ > 0.820) through Cronbach’s Alpha, was the instrument used. Data via SPSS 27 were descriptively analyzed through a five point Likert Scale in frequency distributions, simple percentages, mean and standard deviation, while hypotheses were inferentially tested through linear regression analysis to determine their significance. Results showed that co-operative credit and farm inputs access and co-operative training and capacity-building programs had significant positive influence on agricultural productivity among women farmers t₂=16.435, p < 0.05] and farm income level of women farmers in Nigeria [t₂= 36.381, p < 0.05]. Based on the outcomes, the study recommended expanding co-operative credit initiatives through collaborations with microfinance bodies to increase women’s access to affordable agricultural funds and establishing ongoing training and mentorship schemes specifically designed to build rural women’s technical and financial management capacities.