Assessing the performance and activities of farmers’ cooperative groups on cassava production in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the performance and activities of farmer’s cooperative groups on cassava production in Ukwani Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria. Specifically, it described the socio-economic characteristics of the farmers, determine the net farm income of the farmers in cooperative society and those that do not belong to cooperative groups, and identify the factors that affect the progress of cooperative society in the study. Multi stage sampling techniques was used in selecting 100 farmers. Descriptive statistics and budgetary techniques were used for data analysis. The performance and the activities of the cooperative society include input supply, processing, marketing, supplying of credit facilities and extension services. Farmers that belong to cooperative group had a net farm income of approximately N74,737.37 per hectares while non- members were N64,017.50 per hectares. The constraints that affected the performance and the activities of cooperative society include lack of farmer’s participation, loan defaulting, lack of credit facilities and insufficient funds. The study concludes that cassava farming and its activity in the study area have a promising future since the farmers are within the active age range and the enterprise is profitable. It is recommended among others that member of the farmers of cooperative group should be encourage to pay up their dues so that the group would have fund to operate while enlighten programmes should be organize for farmers that do not belong to cooperative group to enable them know the benefits and relevance of being a member of a cooperative group.