Factors enhancing members' participation in agricultural cooperatives of Muang District in Lamphun Province, Thailand
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Date
1999
Authors
Sathian Khemngern
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Abstract
This study sought to determine the factors that influence the level of members' participation in the activities (capital build-uo, loan program, organizational meetings, trainings, and buying and selling of products) of the Muang District Agricultural Cooperatives. In Lamphun province, Thailand. The independent variables assumed to be the enhancing factors in participation were the socio-demographic characteristics of the members, sources of information communication channels, and benefits expectation of members.
Three hundred three respondents were randomly selected from seven cooperatives (consisting of 1,253 registered members) which belonged to the Muang Lamphun Agricultural Cooperatives.
Data were gathered using structured interview schedule. Descriptive and inferential statistics (Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient Analysis and Multiple Regression Analysis) were used in analyzing the data.
Most respondents belonged to age 47 years and below which was categorized as young. They had low years of schooling (about 5 years), low income at an average of 68,050.17 Baht per annum, and with short length of membership fo about 9 years.
With the print media as source of information, majority (76%) read newspapers and 100 percent of newspapers readers had read about cooperatives from the newspaper. Eighty-nine (89%) percent did not read magazines. In terms of broadcast media, 91 percent listened to the radio while 99 percent watched TV. Agricultural and duty news were the programs, watched on TV by the members (88 percent and 61 percent, respectively). agricultural extension workers were not sources of information for 68 percent of the respondents.
Expectations were found to be high in patronage refund, knowledge and technology transfer, enhanced community development, agricultural inputs sourcing, and increased income. participation levels of members in the five areas of the cooperative activities were all high. about 63 percent received assistance and had served as officers.
The socio-demographic factors, specifically age and length of membership were found highly significant but negatively related to members' participation in all cooperative activities. Income was, however, highly related only to capital build-up. Sources of information/communication channels especially TV, neighbors, relatives, friends and extension workers were significantly related to participation in all the activities of the cooperative. Similarly, expected benefits had high significant relationship with the cooperative activities (capital build up, loan program, organization meetings, trainings, and buy and sell). Newspapers, magazines, and radio as communication channels were found non-significantly related to participation in all cooperative activities.
Multiple regression analysis revealed that the benefits expected by members particularly, patronage refund and knowledge and technology transfer were predictors of capital build-uo while neighbors and agricultural extension officer had inverse prediction on participation of member in the same activity. Friends, patronage refund, knowledge and technology transfer were positive predictors while income was an inverse predictor of participation of members in loan program. Radio, knowledge and technology transfer, agricultural input sourcing and increased income standard of living of members' participation on organizational meetings were predictors, while income and length of membership were inverse predictor of paarticipation of members in loan program. Radio, knowledge and technology transfer, agricultural input sourcing and increased income/standard of living of members' participation on organizational meetings were predictors, while income and length of membership were inverse predictors. Moreover, enhanced community development, increased income/standard of living were predictors but magazines and friends were inverse predictors of participation on training. Television, other interpersonal communication, knowledge and technology transfer, and increased income/standard of living were predictors of buying and selling products. On the other hand, length of membership, newspapers and magazines were likewise predictors of the participation of members in buying and selling products but on an inverse direction.