THE CONTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN IMPROVING FOOD PRODUCTION IN EBONYI STATE (A CASE STUDY OF SELECTED AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE IN ISHI-ELU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA) EBONY

ABSTRACT This project work was an attempt to investigate the contributions of Agricultural Co-operative societies in improving food production in Ebonyi State. The main objectives were; To find out how agricultural co-operatives have contributed in improving food production in Ebonyi State, To identify factors that can cause low food production in Ebonyi State and to identify forms of supports and incentives provided by government to agricultural in Ebonyi State. Based on the objectives of the study, three hypothesis were formulated. The populations of study were drawn from the entire community of Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State. Bourley’s formular was used to determine the sample size. Questionnaires and personal interview were used to elicit data from respondents. Simple tables and percentages were used to analyze data collected.  Based on the analysis, the following findings were made. It was also observed that food production is improved through farm produce, through raw material, through food stored during bumper harvest and also observed that co-operative society in Ishielu local government area relatively good. The researcher therefore made the following recommendations; government should create enable environment for smooth running agrci co-operatives in Ishielu local government and Nigeria as a whole and equally recommend that farming system should be improved to enhance bumper harvest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS Cover Pagei Title pageii Approval pageiii Dedicationiv Acknowledgementv Abstractvi Table of Contentsvii
CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.1Background of the study1 1.2Statement of the problem 4 1.3Objectives of the study6 1.4Research Questions7 1.5Research hypothesis8 1.6Significance of the study9 1.7Limitation of the study11 1.8Definition of Terms11
CHAPTER TWO REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE: 2.1History of Agricultural Co-Operative14 2.2Definition of agricultural co-operative societies15 2.3Roles of agricultural co-operatives in economic development16 2.4Types of Agricultural Co-Operatives20 2.5Problems of agricultural co-operatives in Ishielu local government area.23 2.6The roles of agricultural co-operative societies in improving food production.30 2.7Agriculture system in Ishielu local government33
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHODOLOGY 3.1Source of Data36 3.2Population of the study36 3.3Determination of sample size36 3.4Research Instrument38 3.5Validation of Research Instrument39 3.6Method of Data Analysis And Treatment39
CHAPTER FOUR PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA 4.1Presentation and Analysis Of Data41 4.2Test of Hypothesis45
CHAPTER FIVE DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION 5.1Summary of Findings55 5.2Recommendations56 5.3Conclusions58 Bibliography Appendix