Potentials and Challenges for the Growth of Cooperative Societies in Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58547/z8gerk61Keywords:
Cooperatives, Gender Inclusivity, Climate Resilience, Leadership, Sustainable DevelopmentAbstract
Co-operative societies are vital to supporting families and communities in Tanzania by improving productivity and the quality of farm products. Although government initiatives, including the Co-operative Development Policy, have laid a strong foundation for sectoral growth, significant gaps remain. There is limited empirical evidence on gender inclusivity, climate change adaptation, and the specific factors influencing co-operative performance. Notably, women continue to have low representation in leadership, affecting their participation in decision-making and equitable access to the benefits of co-operative membership. This study aims to assess the strengths, challenges, contextual gaps, and policy implications shaping the performance of co-operatives in Tanzania. A total of 548 respondents, including farmers, fishers, and savings group members from regions such as Kilimanjaro and Mbeya, participated in the study. A mixed-methods approach was applied, using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Respondents were selected through purposive and random sampling techniques. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS for descriptive statistics, while qualitative responses were examined through thematic content analysis. The findings show that AMCOS co-operatives are expanding into new markets and diversifying their products with government support. In contrast, dairy and fishery co-operatives face persistent challenges, including inadequate funding and weak leadership. Gender-related findings reveal that although women contribute significantly to production activities, they experience constraints such as limited access to training, restricted control over resources, and underrepresentation in governance structures, all of which reduce inclusivity and weaken their influence in strategic decisions. Across all sectors, co-operatives also struggle with limited financial resources, outdated infrastructure, and inadequate digital access. To strengthen co-operatives’ performance and resilience, the study recommends targeted actions at policy, institutional, and management levels. These include improving regulatory frameworks, expanding access to financing, investing in leadership development—particularly for women—promoting technology adoption, and enhancing market access for smaller co-operatives. Strengthening gender equality, climate resilience, and inclusive development is essential for ensuring long-term sustainability and competitiveness within the co-operative sector in Tanzania.
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