Agricultural Cooperatives and Food Security Among Smallholder Farmers in Climate-Sensitive Farming Systems in Africa
A Systematic Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58547/993n3g03Keywords:
Agricultural Cooperatives, Food security, Smallholder farmers, Climate resilience, AfricaAbstract
Food insecurity faced by smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa stems from limited access to productive resources, weak institutional support, and increasing exposure to climate shocks. Although promoting agricultural cooperatives aims to improve food access and resilience, evidence of their effectiveness is limited, especially in climate-sensitive regions. This review fills that gap by examining how agricultural cooperatives influence food security outcomes for smallholder farmers across Africa. The study used a systematic review guided by the PRISMA framework. A structured search across six Databases-Emerald Insight, Taylor & Francis Online, Google Scholar, Africa Journals Online (AJOL), ScienceDirect, and CAB Direct-covered literature from 2000 to 2024. Out of 3,241 initial results, 154 titles were deemed relevant, and 35 studies were selected after abstract screening. The full-text review identified seven peer-reviewed studies that met the criteria, focusing on cooperative membership, food security outcomes, and relevance to smallholders in climate-vulnerable settings. Results from studies in Ethiopia, Malawi, Tanzania, and Ghana show that cooperative membership is linked to increased food availability, improved dietary diversity, and reduced food insecurity through better access to inputs, credit, training, markets, and extension services. Studies also highlighted contributions to climate resilience, including improved irrigation, income diversification, and community-based environmental management. Data were thematically synthesized to highlight key patterns and contextual differences. This review provides policymakers with insights into how to strengthen cooperative impact through better governance, stronger market linkages, and climate-adaptation strategies. The review recommends targeted support to improve cooperative governance, encourage climate-smart practices, and promote gender-inclusive participation, thereby maximizing their role in enhancing food security and resilience.
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