ROLE OF AGRICULTURAL CO-OPERATIVES ON POVERTY REDUCTION AMONG RURAL FARMERS IN ENUGU STATE, NIGERIA

The study examined the role of agricultural co-operatives on poverty reduction among rural farmers in the effect of agricultural co-operatives on poverty reduction among rural farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Specifically, it determined the impact of agricultural co-operatives on job creation for member rural farmers and evaluated the effect of agricultural co-operatives on increased income for member rural farmers in the effect of agricultural co-operatives on poverty reduction among rural farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria among others. It adopted descriptive survey research design with a population of 1476 members of selected registered co-operative societies and a sample of 305, determined through the Cochran statistical formula. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and analyzed using frequency tables, simple percentages, mean and standard deviation through a 5-point Likert scale. Hypotheses were tested using one sample t-test statistical tool at 0.05 level of significance, through (SPSS version 23). The study revealed that agricultural co-operatives had significant and positive impact on job creation for member rural farmers [x^2 (16,N=256)=27.3387,p<0.05] and significant and positive effect on increased income for member rural farmers in the effect of agricultural co-operatives on poverty reduction among rural farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria among others. It therefore conclude that agricultural co-operatives have made significant contributions to job creation, income improvement, access to credit facilities, and provision of agricultural inputs for member rural farmers in the effect of agricultural co-operatives on poverty reduction among rural farmers in Enugu State, Nigeria. Recommendations were made, among others, that there is a need to develop and implement comprehensive training programs for members of agricultural co-operatives to enhance their agricultural skills, management abilities, and understanding of modern farming practices.