COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES AS AN INSTRUMENT OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT IN IKEDURU LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA IMO STATE

Abstract This study focused on examining cooperative societies as an Instrument of Development in Ikeduru local Government Area, Imo state. The objectives of the study are: To identify areas of economic development by cooperative societies in Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state, to evaluate the problems of cooperative societies in development of Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state and to proffer solution to the identified problems of cooperative societies in development of Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state. For objectives to be achieved, the researcher made used of 760 as population of the study, 262 as the sample size. Taro Yamane statistical tool was used for computation of sample size. The source of data was through the use of questionnaire. Table was used for the data analysis. The findings were achieved through the data analysis. The study found that the areas of economic development by cooperative societies in Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state, are poverty alleviation, employment empowerment, educating of rural farmers etc, it was identified that the problems of cooperative societies in development of Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state are poor funding, lack of government support, illiteracy, lack of secrecy etc and there are recommended solutions to the identified problems of cooperative societies in development of Ikeduru L.G.A, Imo state. the researcher therefore recommended that the cooperative societies should be maintained as the instrument of development as they help in poverty alleviation, employment creation educating of rural farmers etc, the identified problems of cooperative societies should the dealt with especially government should try and support the cooperative societies so as to reduce the problems and cooperative members should develop more interest in the joining the society because it will help more in achievement of the cooperative goal.