COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOCIOECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS AND POVERTY STATUS OF COOPERATIVE AND NON-COOPERATIVE CASSAVA-BASED FARMERS IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

The study compared the socioeconomic characteristics and poverty status of cooperative and non-cooperative cassava-based farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socioeconomic characteristics of cooperative and non-cooperative cassava-based farmers; derived and compared the poverty status of cooperative and non-cooperative cassava-based farmers. The study population was all cassava-based farmers in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, comprising 60 cooperative and 60 non-cooperative cassava farmers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and poverty line formula. Results showed that cooperative farmers had better socioeconomic characteristics, including greater access to credit (90%), extension services (80%), larger household sizes, and more years of farming experience compared to non-cooperative farmers. Poverty incidence (P₀) for cooperative members was 0.29 (29%), while that of non-cooperative cassava-based farmers was 0.33 (33%). Cooperative membership significantly reduced depth, and severity of poverty among the farmers. The study recommended that government agencies, non-governmental organizations, cooperative societies, and extension agents should make concerted efforts to sensitize and encourage non-cooperative farmers to join existing cooperatives or form new ones, as cooperative membership enhances access to credit and contributes to poverty reduction.