Reasons for the reluctance of farmers to involve in agricultural cooperative societies in the region of Al Jabal al-Akhdar

Abstract

The study aims at identifying the reasons for the reluctance of farmers in the region of Al-Jabal Al-Akhdar, in the north-east of Libya, to participate in agricultural cooperatives. The methodology of the study was based on the method of descriptive analysis of primary data. The study used a number of references, researches and studies relevant to the subject. The study used Nvivo to analyse qualitative data. A survey was designed and distributed to farmers with 98 questionnaires in the study area, 79 of which were valid for analysis, in order to survey the farmers’ reasons for not belonging to the cooperatives and to know their proposals that could improve the role of agricultural cooperatives to support and improve farmers’ economic situation. The study revealed a number of findings. The most important of which is that the phenomenon of the lack of knowledge of the role of cooperative and their activities as well as the lack of awareness about the importance of cooperative work among farmers. This is confirmed by 75% of the respondents. 65% of the respondents confirmed the absence of democratic administration and control of tribal interests, and allowed the monopoly of a few influential power holders to cooperatives. In addition, the members of the former associations and during the period of the wide spread the cooperative societies in Libya did not contribute to highlight their role and the definition of the importance of its existence; to raise the standard of living of farmers and to face the crises they may face in the production or marketing of the crop. The result was that there were no agricultural cooperatives on the ground in the study area at the moment. The study also made a number of recommendations and suggestions.