| dc.description.abstract | Coffee is one of the most valuable traded commodities in the world. In Africa, it is referred as black
gold due to its value. Farmers have come up with cooperative societies that assist them to manage
and market their coffee locally and internationally. In Murang’a County of Kenya, the cooperatives
are having a hard time in terms of sustainability, which has made the current Governor request for
audit to know what is ailing the coffee industry in the County. The purpose of this study therefore
was to establish the factors that influence performance of the coffee cooperatives: A case of
Kangema Constituency in Murang’a County, Kenya. The study took place in the three Coffee
Cooperative societies in Kangema Constituency of Muranga County, Kenya. The study target
population was 12,420 individuals who were both farmers and the cooperative societies’ staff. From
the target population, the researcher was able to get a sample population of 375 individuals from
which 327 individuals were farmers and 48 individuals were the cooperatives staff. Simple random
sampling was administered to the sample population and questionnaires were issued and later
returned. The questionnaire return rate was 94%. The collected data was analysed, interpreted and
presented by tabulating the data. It was found that the four objectives of the study really influenced
performance of coffee cooperatives in the area. It was established that the more the income of
farmers the better they were able to take care of their coffee farms. It was noted that those who had
other source(s) of income were able to take care of their coffee farms better. Iyego which had a high
percentage of businessman 79(39.7%) and those who are employed 12(6%) and were able to produce
the highest in 500kgs. – 799.9kgs yield category, which 15 (7.5%) individuals. It was also
established that land fragmentation led to farmers having small farms which they felt that they could
not plant coffee trees which yield is seasonal yet they required to grow food for daily use. This was
proved by the fact that majority of farmers 193(97.1%), 72(92.8%) and 27(97.1%) for Iyego, Kiriti
and Kanyenya-ini cooperatives respectively who said that they require more land for farming.
However, 156(78.6%), 67(85.5%) and 27(96.4%) from Iyego, Kiriti and Kanyenyaini cooperatives
respectively felt that they would not use the extra land for coffee farming but other types of farming.
This was probably because of the international coffee crises in place that has decreased the income to
coffee farmers. It was also noted with a 100% feedback that those farmers that had attended some
training with regard to coffee farming had improved in their farming methods hence high production.
Those who attended these training were Iyego, 20 (10%), Kiriti, 5(6.4%) and Kanyenyaini, 2(7.1%).
It was also noted that cooperatives staff are required to be competence in their work to ensure that
work flows well to satisfy their clients (farmers) requirements. This is because 32(16.1%) from
Iyego, 24(28.2%) from Kiriti and 15(53.6%) of farmers felt that cooperatives services are not
satisfactory at all. Majority of staff suggested that their salaries be increased and also more members
should be employed to avoid overworking the available staff. It was also suggested that further
training of the available staff would also improve their working methods hence satisfying the
farmers. It was therefore concluded that the government should work on the coffee related incomes
to motivate the farmers. Also, proper land policies should be put in place to ensure that land users
are able utilize the available lands hence ensuring that no idle land in place. Training of farmers is
important as it adds knowledge and skills that would not have been known by these farmers. Finally,
employing competent workers in term of qualifications, training and skills is important as they will
be able to handle any kind of drawback. The study recommended further research on coffee
cooperatives in other counties so that conclusions should be compared and generalized. The study
has also recommended further research on other farming related cooperatives to compare the
findings. Further research should also be done in different counties to help generalize the findings. | en_US |
