THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES IN INCREASING FOOD PRODUCTION IN ENUGU STATE (A CASE STUDY OF AWGU LGA, ENUGU STATE)

The study was aimed at determining the role of women cooperative societies in increasing food production in Awgu LGA, Enugu State. Three research objectives and corresponding research questions guided the study. Relevant literature related to the study was reviewed. A descriptive study design was used and Taro Yamane formula was used to determine the sample size of 114 participants. The analysis leverages both primary and secondary data, including responses from women cooperative members as well as empirical research from various sources and questions were formulated based on the objectives of the study. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequency distribution tables and percentages. The findings reveal that women cooperative societies in Awgu LGA have played an active role in the supply of farm inputs and credit to their members. The survey indicates that a majority of respondents receive farm inputs, such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and farming tools, from these cooperatives. A significant percentage of respondents reported that the farm inputs provided were either "very adequate" or "adequate" for their farming needs, suggesting that the cooperatives' efforts have been largely effective in supporting agricultural production. The findings of the study indicate that a significant number of women in Awgu LGA benefit from loan schemes provided by women cooperative societies. The cooperatives were reported to provide loans either "often" or "very often," which implies a relatively consistent level of support. Moreover, most respondents considered the interest rates offered by the cooperatives to be "favorable" or "very favorable," making these cooperatives an attractive option for obtaining credit compared to other financial institutions. Based on the findings of the study, recommendations were made: Women cooperative societies should simplify their loan application processes and reduce stringent requirements to enable more members to access financial support. Efforts should also be made to reduce delays in loan approvals. The cooperatives should organize more frequent training sessions on improved farming techniques, including land preparation and crop cultivation, to empower members with up-to-date knowledge and skills.