Comparative study on the performance of dairy cooperative input and output marketing in Astbie Womerta, Alamata and Enderta woreda in Tigray region, Ethiopia

Cooperative form of business is an instrument of change with the task of making the poor productive. The development of dairy cooperatives in Ethiopia indicates that there is a need to focus interventions more coherently addressing both technological gaps and marketing problems. The present study investigates the difference in performance of cooperatives in the study area and major factors influencing performance. The objectives of the study were: 1) To compare the performance of selected dairy cooperatives in Enderta, Alamata and Atsbi Womberta woredas of Tigray. 2) To assess the determinants of performance among the dairy cooperatives. 3) To identify the constraints with respect to quality feed and breed and finally to suggest suitable strategies to improve the productivity and marketing capabilities of dairy cooperatives in the selected woredas. The researcher used Focus Group Discussion, report from government offices as secondary data and enumerator administered interview schedule for data collection. The ix study areas Alamata, Enderta and Atsbi were selected because of the existence of dairy cooperatives with good potential and a felt need to study their performance. All cooperatives except one were included in the study and a random sample of 120 respondents was selected based on probability proportionate to size. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 13.0 and statistical tools such as descriptive statistics and regression. Results are presented as frequencies, percentages, chi square and financial ratios. The large majority of the respondents were married female farmers in the productive age group of 15-35 years with the maximum education attended being primary school. The impact of independent variables on the satisfaction of members, the main indicator of performance shows that cooperative age; members’ training; availability of credit; members’ participation and gender had positive impact on the performance of cooperatives and lack of roads had negative influence. The rest of the independent variables showed association but had no statistical significance. The most important constraints regarding feed perceived by members were non availability and high price of feed where as regarding breed they were lack of breed and insemination centers. In conclusion, there is difference in performance among cooperatives brought about by variety of challenges. It is recommended that cooperatives have training and supportive supervision by experts and officials to improve their productivity and managerial capabilities. Due attention should be given to the development of roads and transport system as well as the availability of feed and exotic breed. Finally the researcher recommends broader and in depth research be conducted to discern and properly address the multifaceted problems of dairy cooperatives in woredas of Tigray Region, Ethiopia.