Why some rural people become members of agricultural cooperatives while others do not

Abstract

Though agricultural cooperatives are considered as a basis for household food security, there are many rural people in Tigray (Ethiopia) who do not so far become members. The study explores why some rural people become member of cooperatives while others do not using group discussion, household survey and probit model. The result of the study shows the prominent variables that strongly and significantly induce rural people to join agricultural cooperatives are being male household head, member in rural associations, attending public meeting and/or workshop; membership in tabia/woreda administrating committees; accessibility to credit services, exposure visits and training access; number of family sizes, family members in secondary school, and information access. Therefore, intensive awareness enhancement initiatives should be done in rural areas so that more people become members of agricultural cooperatives and ensure their sustainable food security, and contributes their parts in the development endeavor of the region. Key words: Agricultural cooperative, membership and participation.