Co-operatives as Socio-economic Shock Absorbers: Analysis of Farmers’ Economic Resilience in Insecurity-Prone Northern Nigeria

The study centred on co-operatives as socio-economic shock absorbers: analysis of farmers’ economic resilience in insecurity-prone Northern Nigeria. The study also ascertained the effect of co-operative membership on income stability of farmers affected by insecurity and determined the effect of credit access on farm productivity among farmers affected by insecurity. Using a descriptive survey design, 380 co-operatives were drawn from a population of 37740 through multistage sampling. A validated questionnaire provided primary data and its reliability (0.85) confirmed through Spearman Rank Correlation Coefficient. Data collected were analyzed statistically using SPSS 27 through descriptive tools (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) with the aid of a 4 point Likert Scale. The stated hypotheses were tested using single regression statistic. Results showed that co-operative membership ((t-statistic; 6.445; P-value; 0.000 < Sig-value; 0.05) and credit access (t-statistic; 11.226; P-value; 0.000 < Sig-value; 0.05) had a positive significant effect on the income stability of farmers and on farm productivity among farmers affected by insecurity in Northern Nigeria. It concluded that co-operative membership and access to credit collectively strengthen farmers’ income stability and productivity in insecure regions, illustrating how joint participation and inclusive financing foster resilience, sustain livelihoods, and reinforce economic survival in Northern Nigeria’s conflict-prone communities. The study recommended promoting co-operative participation by government and NGOs through sponsor awareness programs to encouraging farmers in join co-operatives and broadening credit opportunities by collaborating with microfinance institutions to create accessible, low-interest loan packages for co-operative members.