Factors influencing performance of coffee Cooperatives in Kangema constituency, Murang’a County, Kenya

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.