The main objective of the study was to assess factors affecting development of farmer cooperatives between ZanzibarIsland of Tanzania and Baoding City of China.
The main objective of the study was to assess factors affecting development of farmer cooperatives between ZanzibarIsland of Tanzania and Baoding City of China. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were used to gather necessary information from study area. The responses were elicited from 135 respondents from Zanzibar Island and 140 from Baoding City of China, selected randomly from target population. Furthermore, fifteen key informants from Department of
Cooperatives and Ministry of Agriculture from both cases were interviewed to clarify respondent’s answers. In order to identify factors influencing cooperatives development, multiple regression analysis using standardized method together with Statistical Packaging for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17 were used to analyses and interpret data findings. The results showed that, for Zanzibar Island poor provision of cooperatives training, conflicts derived within cooperatives, low level of production and lack of business contract has negative influence on the development of farmer cooperatives. For Baoding City member’s knowledge and skills, and poor participation of members in administrative election has negative influence on the development of farmer cooperatives. In addition, for both case studies poor product technology and value addition, poor construction of marketing channels, lack of knowledge and skills of strategic plan of cooperatives leaders, has negatives influences on the development of farmer’s cooperatives. However good administration system and supporting policy has positively influenced development of farmer in Baoding City. Finally, research suggested remedial measures for both side such as engagement of youth in cooperatives activities, cooperatives should carry out product technology and values addition, including of combining agricultural operation with modern agriculture, administrative concern should improve and construct marketing channels, which will enable cooperatives to avoid loss of benefit from intermediaries.
1Kizimbani Agriculture Training Institutes, Tanzania
2Hebei Agricultural University, School of Business, China
3Hebei Agricultural University, College of Agronomy, China