Impact of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies’ Services on Pineapple Growers’ Income: Case of Kinole SACCOS

Abstract

Pineapple production is one of the essential agricultural economic sectors employing thousands of smallholder farmers in Tanzania. Despite its necessity in ensuring food security and improving farmers’ income, the level of productivity remains low in comparison to market demand. Among other factors, this situation is also attributed by financial constraints and weak agricultural institutions, which limit farmers’ capacity in attaining their goals. The presence of Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOS) provides an opportunity for pineapple growers to participate fully in production and ultimately improve their overall incomes. This study assessed the impact of SACCOS’ services on pineapple growers’ income in Morogoro District where Kinole SACCOS was chosen as the case study. About 70 SACCOS’ members, 70 non-members and key informants were involved in providing primary data through semi-structured questionnaires and key informants interviews respectively. Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS software) was used to analyze quantitative data whereas content analysis was applied to qualitative data. The study found that SACCOS’ intervention in the pineapple sub-sector brought a positive impact on productivity and income for the members. The results depicted that; SACCOS’ membership, agricultural credit, entrepreneurship training and pineapple production were significant; implying positive influence on small holder farmers’ income. T-test analysis showed a highly significant difference between SACCOS’ members and non-members on income earned from pineapple production and other income generating activities. Based on the indicated findings, the study recommends that rural SACCOS should be empowered with respect to capacity building and financial subsidies by the government and other development partners to ensure improved effectiveness and efficiency in the provision of financial services to farmers in rural communities.

Keywords: Pineapple productivity; SACCOs’ membership; Income; Morogoro District