Factors influencing marketing of Cofee by the Co-operative societies in Kisii Central District, Kenya

Abstract

The study was conducted to establish factors influencing marketing of coffee by the cooperatives societies in Kisii Central District. Governance' issues in co-operatives, conflicts, motivation and supervision of co-operative employees constituted the factors under investigation. The study particularly sought to establish the relationship between these factors and marketing of coffee by the co-operative societies in Kisii Central District. Relevant literature is reviewed by outlining an overview of the co-operative movement and the identified factors. Literature review is a collection of literature from research papers, national and international seminar reports, government publications and relevant books. The chapter has the theoretical framework and conceptual framework showing the relationship among the various variables.

Research methodology employed in the collection of data is outlined; this was survey method. Data was collected using interview schedules, through personal interviews with respondents in their homes. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, frequencies and percentages were used to present the data. The study found out that governance issues in cooperatives, conflicts in cooperatives and motivation of cooperative employee influenced marketing of coffee to a moderate to large extent while supervision of cooperative employees influenced marketing of coffee to a moderate extent.

The study concludes that more need to be done to enhance good governance practices in cooperatives, efforts should be made to put conflict resolutions mechanisms in place in the cooperatives and more attention must be given to the cooperative employees to supervise them more effectively and to motivate them. The Gusii Coffee Farmers Co-operative Union needs to take up its supervisory role seriously. Finally the study recommends more intensive trainings in the marketing cooperative societies in all areas discussed and more budgetary allocation to address employee welfare needs. Involvement of Ministry of Cooperative Development and Marketing officers in trainings and ensuring compliance is recommended.