Abayomi, O., 2008. Agricultural students’ perceptions of farm practical year programme at university of Agricultural, Abeokuta. Agriculturae Conspectus Scientificus, 73(4): 245-252. View at Google Scholar
Abebo, G.M. and A.B. Sekumade, 2013. Determinants of career choice of agricultural profession among the students of the faculty of agricultural sciences in Ekiti State university, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 5(11): 249-255. View at Google Scholar
Adamu, Y., M. Ibrahim and A.M. Bapeto, 2011. Willingness of national certificate of education agricultural science students to enter agribusiness as a self employment venture. Proceedings of the 25th Farm Management Association of Nigeria (FAMAN) Conference (AKURE 2011), September 5 – 8. pp: 17.
Ayanda, I.F., F. Olooto, A. Motunrayo, G.T. Abolaji, O.J. Yusuf and S.K. Subair, 2012. Perception of Kwara State university agricultural students on farming as means of future livelihood. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 2(11): 1053-1061. View at Google Scholar
Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 2006. Statistical bulletin. Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), 2006. Statistical bulletin. Abuja: CBN, 17: 15-21.
Edozien, N.N., 2002. Empowering the poor through micro finance. A Paper Presented at the 20th Biennial Conference of the Development Finance Department, Central Bank of Nigeria, Calabar, November 4-5.
Ferry, M.N., 2006. Factors influencing career choices of adolescents and young adults in rural Pennsylvania Jouranl of Extension, 443. Retrieved from http://www.joe.org/joe/2006june/index.php.
Ifatimehin, O.O., S.D. Musa and J.O. Adeyemi, 2011. Managing land use transformation and land surface temperature change in Anyigba Town, Kogi State. Journal of Geography and Geology, 13(1): 77-85. View at Google Scholar | View at Publisher
Juma, A., 2007. Promoting livelihood opportunities for rural youth: Some lessons from Tanzania. Paper for IFAD Governing Council Roundtable: Generating Remunerative Livelihood Opportunities for Rural Youth. pp: 8.
Kritzinger, A., 2002. Rural youth and risk society: Future perceptions and life chances of teenage girls on South African farms. Youth and Society, 33(4): 545-572. View at Google Scholar | View at Publisher
Mann, S. and H. Kogl, 2003. On the acceptance of animal production in rural communities. Journal on Land Use Policy, 20(3): 243-252. View at Google Scholar | View at Publisher
Munowenyo, M.E., 1999. The need to offer basic vocational education in Zimbabwe’s secondary school. Zimbabwe Journal of Educational Research, 11(1): 43-58. View at Google Scholar
National Bureau of Statistic Abuja, 2012. Annual abstract of statistics. Abuja: Federal Republic of Nigeria FRN.
Othman, N. and S. Ishak, 2009. Attitude towards choosing a career in entrepreneurship amongst graduates. European Journal of Social Sciences, 10(3): 419 – 434.View at Google Scholar
Rose, R.C., N. Kumar and L.L. Yen, 2006. The dynamics of entrepreneurs’ success factors in influencing venture growth. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, 2(2): 1-22. View at Google Scholar
Sanusi, L., 2011. Poverty at 51. Nation, Sunday: 17.
World Bank, 2004. African development indicators 2003/2004. Washington, D.C: The World Back.
Saliu O.J. , Onuche . U. , Abubakar . H. (2016). Perception of Kogi State University Agricultural Students on Farming as a Career. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research, 3(4): 72-81. DOI: 10.18488/journal.70/2016.3.4/70.4.72.81
This study examined the perception of Kogi State University Agricultural
Students on farming as a career. Primary data were collected using
structured interview schedule to pick 150 students in the study area.
Stratified random sampling technique was used to pick 30 students from
each level (100-500). Data collected were analyzed using descriptive
statistics such as frequency count, percentage and mean score on a 3
point likert-type of scale. The result of the study indicated that a
large percentage (42.7%) of students were from household size of 4 to 6
which is fairly large for the needed labour force for agricultural
activities. Many (56%) of the students had no farming experience before
their enrolment into the university. The study further showed that most
of the students had negative attitude when they resumed in 100 level
mean score (X) (2.30) but are now greatly influenced by agricultural
education impacted by trained agricultural experts (X) (2.67). Students
Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) programme had also positively
changed the students attitude to farming (2.25). Most respondents (X)
(2.58) 86% showed willingness to engage in practical agricultural
enterprise if supplied with the necessary agricultural inputs. Also
willingness to embark on poultry farming had (X) (2.73), fish farming
had ms (2.49), cash crop farming had (X) (2.19) and arable crop farming
had (X) (2.12) which represented a popular perception among the
respondents. Piggery farming with (X) (1.47) and beekeeping with (X)
(1.33) had the least indication of interest by the students.
Implementation of government agricultural policies that will ensure
regular input and attractive market price could motivate agricultural
graduates to embrace farming as a career.
Contribution/ Originality
Performance of Multi-Purpose Cooperatives in the Shiselweni Region of Swaziland
Adepoju, A.A., O.A. Oni, B.T. Omonona and A.S. Oyekale, 2011. Social capital and rural farming households welfare in South-West Nigeria. World Rural Observations, 3(3): 150-161.
Antoine, S., L. Pierre and B. Mario, 2011. Cooperative performance measurement proposal. France: Bordeaux Management School, BEM.
Armstrong, M., 2005. Cooperative movement in Kenya: The eagle that won’t fly. Theory of regulation. 1st Edn., London: University College of London.
Australian Agricultural Council, 1998. Agricultural cooperatives. Australia: Australian Centre for Cooperative Research and Development, Charles Sturt University.
Babbie, E., 2013. The practice of social research. San Francisco, California: Wadsworth Publishing Co.
Best, J.W. and J.V. Kahn, 2007. Research in education. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India Private.
Chalam, G.V. and A. Prasad, 2007. An evaluation of financial performance of cooperative societies in Andhra Pradesh: A study of selected PACS in West Godavari District. Indian Cooperative Review, 45(1): 42-58. View at Google Scholar
Chambo, S., 2009. Agricultural cooperatives: Role in food security and rural development. Moshi, Tanzania: Moshi University College of Cooperative and Business Studies.
Clark, E., 1991. Farmer cooperatives and economic welfare. Journal of Farm Economics, 34: 35-51.
Creswell, J.W., 2013. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. London: Sage Publications.
Dakurah, A., B.S. Goddard and O.R. Osuteye, 2005. Promoting rural cooperatives in developing countries: The case of Sub-Saharan Africa. Washington, D.C: The World Bank, 121.
Develtere, P., I. Pollet and F. Wanyama, 2008. Cooperating out of poverty: The renaissance of the African cooperative movement. Geneva: ILO.
Gray, T.W. and C.A. Kraenzle, 2002. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Rural Business-Cooperative Service Research Report, 192.
Harrington, D.R., 1991. Corporate financial analysis: Decisions in a global environment. 4th Edn., Homewood, IL: Irwin.
Hlatshwako, C., 2010. Economic empowerment of Swazi society through cooperative development. Coop Africa, Working Paper No. 13. Mbabane: International Labour Organisation.
International Cooperative Alliance, 2006. International cooperative alliance, 2006. International cooperative Alliance. Department for International Development (DFID). Retrieved from http://www.ica.coop/ [Accessed 08 March, 2015].
Kulandaiswamy, V. and P. Murugesan, 2004. Performance of PACS: An empirical evaluation. Indian Cooperative Review, 42(2): 122-130. View at Google Scholar
Masuku, M.B., 2005. Cooperative studies, AEM 204 teaching manual. Faculty of Agriculture, University of Swaziland, Luyengo Campus.
Mdluli, T.V., 2003. An evaluation of the education and training of cooperative societies through the cooperative members’ participation programme (CMPP) in Swaziland: A case of the Lubombo region. Unpublished B. Ed. Research Report. Kwaluseni: University of Swaziland.
Murugesan, P., 2007. Performance indicators of PACS. Indian Cooperative Review, 45(2): 110-116. View at Google Scholar
Papadopoulos, M., 2003. The concept and classifications of agricultural cooperatives. Working paper. Australian centre for cooperative research development. Charles Sturt University.
Rankin, M. and B.K. Russell, 2005. A governance perspective on the role of cooperatives in rural development. The cooperative sector. Columbia: University of Missouri.
Read, W.F. and M.S. Miller, 1990. The state of quality in logistics. International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, 21(6): 32-47. View at Google Scholar | View at Publisher
Samson, M., 2010. Designing and implementing social transfer programmes. 2nd Edn., Cape Town: EPRI Press.
Sanner, M. and J. Wilson, 2003. Stewardship, good governance and ethics. Policy brief 19. Ottawa, Canada: Institute of Governance.
Simamora, M., 2004. Business plan development an exercise in functional food products. Retrieved from http://ssrn.com/abstract=2729232 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2729232 [Accessed 24/10/2015].
Swaziland Government, 2011. Cooperative societies’ act of 2003 and cooperative societies regulations of 2005. Mbabane: Ministry of Agriculture.
Swaziland Government, 2012. Cooperative societies’ act of 2003 and cooperative societies regulations of 2005. Mbabane: Ministry of Agriculture.
Swaziland Government, 2013. Department of cooperatives reports. Mbabane: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
Swaziland Government, 2014. Department of cooperatives reports. Mbabane: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
Swaziland Government, 2015. Department of cooperatives reports. Mbabane: Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade.
Swaziland Government and UNDP, 2012. Rural cooperatives and sustenance development. Mbabane: Ministry of Agriculture.
Totlund, J., 2004. Current issues in cooperative finance and governance: Background and discussion paper. Washington D.C, USA: Rural Development Cooperatives Programme.
Ugochukwu, E.C. and A.I. Ugwuoke, 2013. Performance evaluation of women farmer cooperative societies in Owerri agricultural zone of Imo State, Nigeria. Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 3(2): 126-142.
Zamora, J.T. and C.A. Agutaya, 2011. The performance of multi-purpose cooperatives in the first district of the Province of Oriental Mindoro, Philippines. Paper Presented at the International Conference on Management: Proceedings.
T.A. Masuku , M.B. Masuku , J.P.B. Mutangira (2016). Performance of Multi-Purpose Cooperatives in the Shiselweni Region of Swaziland. International Journal of Sustainable Agricultural Research, 3(4): 58-71. DOI: 10.18488/journal.70/2016.3.4/70.4.58.71
A multi-purpose cooperative is a business that is a mixture of two or
more different types of cooperatives. The study examined the performance
of multi-purpose cooperatives in Swaziland. The objectives of the study
were to; establish the performance of multi-purpose-cooperatives,
identify factors influencing the performance of multi-purpose
cooperatives, and identify constraints faced by multi-purpose
cooperatives. A descriptive research design was used where quantitative
and qualitative methods were employed to collect and analyse data. The
target population was all registered and active multi-purpose
cooperatives in the Shiselweni region. A sample (n=120) was drawn using a
two-stage stratified random sampling procedure and it comprised of 80
cooperative members, 35 committee members and 5 cooperative officers who
were purposely selected. Face to face personal interviews were used to
collect the data. Data were analysed using the Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS version 20). The study found that the performance
of multi-purpose cooperatives was influenced by gender and
accountability. The study further found that cooperative officers
educated and trained cooperative members once a year. Major constraints
included poor capital base, most members being too old to perform
cooperative activities, and poor record-keeping. The study concluded
that cooperatives were not performing well financially, since there were
making losses. It is recommended that cooperatives should ensure the
financial statements were prepared on time and audited. There is need to
encourage young farmers to join multi-purpose cooperative since most of
the farmers were old. The frequency of training provided to members
need to be improved. The study also recommends that other studies be
carried out to cover the whole of Swaziland in order to generalise the
findings.
Contribution/ Originality
This study contributes to existing literature by analyzing the
performance of multipurpose Cooperatives. The study not only established
the performance of multi-purpose cooperatives, but also identified the
factors affecting the performance of multi-purpose cooperatives,
especially in Swaziland. The study used primary data, hence it is
original.
