An analysis of external interfaces limiting co-operative sustainability in the primary agricultural marketing co-operative societies (amcos) in Tanzania, evidence from selected coffee primary amcos of Bukoba and Moshi districts
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Date
2018
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
European Journal of Research and Reflection in Management Sciences
Abstract
The importance of a co-operative as a member-owned socio-economic institution has
attracted global focus to identify mechanisms by which co-operatives can meet members’
needs and aspirations using co-operative democracy. In Tanzania, co-operative policy and
legislation highlight ownership and participative democracy to co-operatives; various efforts
have been made to ensure primary Agricultural Marketing Co-operative Societies (AMCOS)
use member democracy in decision making to sustain co-operative institutions. The study
assessed the extent to which democratic practices reflect member ownership in different
decision making processes. The study objective was to examine external interferences
limiting co-operative sustainability in the primary AMCOS in Bukoba and Moshi districts. A
cross-sectional design was used whereby 400 members were selected from ten primary
AMCOS of Bukoba and Moshi districts. The study used primary data by the use of household
survey and interviews, focus group discussions and key informant interviews. Documentary
review was done to collect secondary information. The findings on the external sustainability
influence results shows government roles were more identified as to tax members' produce
than regulation and creating enabling environment for co-operative business; a total of 47
deduction and tax items were found to effect member produce on Farm Gate Price. Also, the
decline of coffee price was the leading factor affecting the co-operative business. The study
recommends that ordinary members, board and managers of the Primary AMCOS should
prepare strategies that will expand the capital base of their firm in order to have a sustainable
capital system. Also, the role of the Government should be creating enabling environment to
co-operative rather than taxing co-operative members.
Description
Journal article
Keywords
Co-operative sustainability, External interfaces, Primary agricultural marketing, Co-operative societies