Development and Effectiveness of Agricultural Cooperatives: Case of Maize Producer Cooperatives (MPCs) in the Republic of Benin

Abstract

In the Republic of Benin, the last decade has witnessed initiatives that resulted in a boom in agricultural cooperatives. However, many research outcomes indicated agricultural cooperatives’ poor performances and lack of sustainability. To understand why this is the case, this research uses a comparative case study approach to analyze maize producer cooperatives’ (MPCs) institutional environment and internal governance at different levels in two districts of Benin: Kandi and Djidja. Analysis showed that MPCs’ development follows different trajectories influenced by specific contexts and multiple factors. MPCs in the district of Djidja proved to be more effective than those in Kandi. In both cases, institutional factors—such as the government’s role, source of establishment initiative, political and administrative context, and support system—have greatly affected the current condition of MPCs. Moreover, the internal governance—mainly the structure of MPCs, the profile of leaders, the network, and the business—and notably joint-selling also contributed to the current situation of MPCs being either not operating, revived, or genuine, therefore implying different levels of effectiveness. The originality of this study lies in its qualitative approach, which provides a rigorous understanding of the MPCs’ development and effectiveness based on cooperative practitioners’ experiences.