ABSTRACT

This project work was an attempt to investigate the contributions of Agricultural Co-operative societies in improving food production in Ebonyi State. The main objectives were; To find out how agricultural co-operatives have contributed in improving food production in Ebonyi State, To identify factors that can cause low food production in Ebonyi State and to identify forms of supports and incentives provided by government to agricultural in Ebonyi State. Based on the objectives of the study, three hypothesis were formulated. The populations of study were drawn from the entire community of Ishielu local government area of Ebonyi State. Bourley’s formular was used to determine the sample size. Questionnaires and personal interview were used to elicit data from respondents. Simple tables and percentages were used to analyze data collected.  Based on the analysis, the following findings were made. It was also observed that food production is improved through farm produce, through raw material, through food stored during bumper harvest and also observed that co-operative society in Ishielu local government area relatively good. The researcher therefore made the following recommendations; government should create enable environment for smooth running agrci co-operatives in Ishielu local government and Nigeria as a whole and equally recommend that farming system should be improved to enhance bumper harvest.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover Page i

Title page ii

Approval page iii

Dedication iv

Acknowledgement v

Abstract vi

Table of Contents vii

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study 1

1.2 Statement of the problem 4

1.3 Objectives of the study 6

1.4 Research Questions 7

1.5 Research hypothesis 8

1.6 Significance of the study 9

1.7 Limitation of the study 11

1.8 Definition of Terms 11

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE:

2.1 History of Agricultural Co-Operative 14

2.2 Definition of agricultural co-operative societies 15

2.3 Roles of agricultural co-operatives in economic development 16

2.4 Types of Agricultural Co-Operatives 20

2.5 Problems of agricultural co-operatives in Ishielu local government area. 23

2.6 The roles of agricultural co-operative societies in improving food production. 30

2.7 Agriculture system in Ishielu local government 33

CHAPTER THREE

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Source of Data 36

3.2 Population of the study 36

3.3 Determination of sample size 36

3.4 Research Instrument 38

3.5 Validation of Research Instrument 39

3.6 Method of Data Analysis And Treatment 39

CHAPTER FOUR

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

4.1 Presentation and Analysis Of Data 41

4.2 Test of Hypothesis 45

CHAPTER FIVE

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION

5.1 Summary of Findings 55

5.2 Recommendations 56

5.3 Conclusions 58

Bibliography

Appendix