Co-operative University of Kenya Journals
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Covid-19 Pandemic and Educational Development in Rivers State, Nigeria
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The study centres on two state owned degree awarding tertiary institutions: Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. Prior to Covid-19, the mode learning was face to face. This, however, was interrupted by the pandemic, with lecturers and students being forced to online teaching. This study examines the nature of tertiary educational development in Rivers State before Covid-19 pandemic; investigates the setbacks caused by Covid-19 pandemic and investigates how Covid-19 impacted on tertiary educational development in Rivers State, Nigeria. The research adopted secondary and primary means in gathering the data. The study design was the descriptive survey method using purposive sampling technique. The population of study comprises both Rivers State University and Ignatius Ajuru University staff of 4,291, with a sample size of 400 respondents. The structural functionalism theory of Talcot Parson is used to guide the study. The findings showed that: Covid-19 delayed students' graduation; affected various universities budget plan and academic calendar. It led to poor school enrolments, poor school health and a decline of revenue. Thus, the study recommends that Government should make adequate provision for online learning platform in schools; and that there should be greater awareness on Covid 19
Influence of Loan Advance Ratio on the Loan Performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya
Full text linkThe financial viability and long-term sustainability of SACCOs is threatened by credit risk that poses a challenge despite growth in the sector. We explore the influence of capital adequacy on loan performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. Time series cross sectional unbalanced secondary panel data was analyzed from 175 deposit taking SACCOs licensed by SASRA as at December 2017. The data was obtained from audited financial statements submitted to SASRA over a five-year period (2013-2017). The unbalanced panel data was analyzed quantitatively using regression equations. The study adopted capital adequacy as the explanatory variable for the study and we applied both the long run (static) and short run (dynamic) panel models. The long run models assumed that previous period’s performance did not affect present period’s performance and therefore, no persistence (no lag dependent explanatory variables) in the model. The short run models assumed that immediate previous period performance will lag dependent explanatory variable, thus influenced present period’s performance. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized in testing for robustness to see if the results of the empirical model would hold when subjected to a non-parametric test. Before the administration of multiple regression analysis a number of essential assumptions were checked so as to avoid type I and type II errors that occur during the interpretation stages of the model. These assumptions included testing for heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, multivariate normality, multi-collinearity and linearity. Results show that loan and advance ratio significantly influence performance of loans in deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya
Housing Co-operative Member Participation and Housing Affordability in Nairobi County, Kenya
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Member participation is an active process in which people take initiatives and actions stimulated by their thinking and deliberation, which affect co-operative performance. Nevertheless, low member participation in housing co-operative is the biggest challenge facing housing co-operatives. This paper examined the following objectives; to determine the social-economic characteristics affecting member participation in a housing co-operative, to analyze housing affordability indicators, to describe the level of member participation in the housing co-operatives, and to examine the influence of members' participation on housing affordability in housing co-operatives in Nairobi County, Kenya. Data was collected from 35 housing co-operatives societies registered under the state department of co-operatives in Nairobi County. The paper collected both primary and secondary data and was analyzed both descriptively and inferentially. Hypothesis testing was analyzed by mixed-effects model and correlation analysis. The result reveals that socioeconomic characteristics influence member participation in housing co-operative also, there was a significant relationship between member participation and housing affordability. Therefore, the paper recommends continuous provision of education and training for existing and incoming members to enlighten them about their democratic rights entrenched in co-operative principles and bylaws. Also the State Department of Co-operatives should sensitize co-operative members on the importance of active participation in the co-operative organization
Effects of Microfinance Cooperatives on Women Capabilities through Microentrepreneurship: Application of Amatya Sen’s Capabilities Approach
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In the context of the approach by Sen, microfinance when adopted as a tool to reduce and defeminise poverty, can expand women’s capabilities and increase the freedoms or opportunities and choices to acquire the desired things. The feminisation of poverty is occurring in Tsholotsho District despite a plethora of microfinance cooperatives which are supposed to reduce and defeminise poverty. The objective of the study was to analyse the impact of microfinance on capability enhancement among women through microenterprise development in Tsholotsho District. The target population for the study was 2,233 women under ORAP’s Amalima programme out of whom a sample of 100 was selected and matched by a similar number of non-participants. The study assessed microfinance in terms of microenterprises formation. Results show that microfinance increases the probability of forming a microenterprise. The findings confirm that microfinance increases individuals' capacity to meet their basic capabilities. The study proposes replication of Tsholotsho's microfinance models within and outside Tsholotsho; ensuring community participation in microfinance by considering factors that determine participation and tailor-make microfinance packages to cater to the target population's needs; and developing and strengthening Cooperative- Bank Linkages
Contract Fishing in Africa and Inputs Markets for Artisanal Fishers: The Analysis of Impact Factors around Lake Victoria
Full text linkArtisanal fishers in Africa suffer from income insecurity and exploitation from patron-client system (contract fishing) mainly due to informal governance structure. The objective of this study was to analyze the fishery inputs market factors applied in contract fishing on selected landing sites around Lake Victoria, Tanzania. Two districts were selected purposely in Mwanza region followed by proportionate sampling of six landing sites. A logistic multiple regression analysis was applied for questionnaire data from a sample of 289 artisanal fishers selected randomly using lottery approach in each landing site. Focused group discussions and key informant interviews were employed to triangulate questionnaire data results. Vessel ownership, market access, cash loans, and fishing experiences are significant (P<0.05) input market factors influencing participation in contract fishing for both contracted and freelance fishers. Artisanal fishers are recommended to establish fisher’s organization institutions for a collective agreement with buyers on market input factors, including access to market and provisions of other social capital facilities. Provision of fishing facilities, vessels and loans by financial institutions is recommended for sustainability of fishery business and income security among artisanal fishers
Wedding and wasting: Exploring food plate waste in Tanzania
Full text linkAvoiding food waste benefits society, the economy, and the environment. In recent years, major efforts have been made to understand food discarded in the out-of-home eating contexts. However, most of studies have been conducted primarily in developed countries. Although the wedding business is one of the leading producers of out-of-home food, little is known about the amount of food wasted, particularly in emerging markets such as Tanzania. This study was designed to accomplish two goals. First, to examine guests’ perspectives of food waste in the wedding market. Second, to analyze factors influencing attendees' decisions to bring food and drinks home from weddings. Convenience and snowballing nonrandom sampling techniques were employed between November and December 2020 to recruit online 121 wedding attendees. The data was cleaned and exported to SPSS-26 for analysis from Google Drive as a spreadsheet file. The study's findings indicate that more than half of guests acknowledge that plate waste at weddings is a serious problem. However, when asked how much food they thought they left uneaten at a recent wedding, more than two-thirds reported leaving less than 10% of the meal served. Unfinished dishes were primarily returned due to the desire to consume everything on the buffet, the late dinner, and the fear of embarrassment. Nearly three-quarters (74%) were willing to bring drinks home rather than food (37%). The binary logistic regression technique identified two significant predictors of food take- home strategy: the presence of a food container and the guest's willingness to pay for wedding expenses. These findings underscore the critical nature of meal planning, packing, and delivery. Additionally, adequate education programs are necessary to raise awareness regarding food waste in the wedding businesse
Leveraging Social Capital through Youth Groups in Northern Uganda: Lessons for Enhancing Inclusivity by Social and Solidarity Economy Organizations
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After two decades of civil conflict in Northern Uganda, Ugandans are now returning to their communities to reestablish their livelihoods. Most youth don’t have skills to venture into Agriculture. The objective of the study was to establish the role social capital played in the success of agricultural enterprises run by youth. This study was anchored on Collective action theory by Mancur Olson 1965. Research was carried out in four project districts. In each district, two Focus Group Discussions were held with sampled youth from the program beneficiaries; each focused group discussion was comprised of five female and five male youth. Also four Key Informant Interviews, one per district were held. 415 youth from the project beneficiaries were sampled out through simple random sampling and purposive sampling. Cleaned data was coded and analyzed with the help of a computer package ATLAS. Findings from these studies were triangulated with program reports and staff reflection and experiences. The research established that through social capital there were improved peer to peer networks and relationships, it became easier for youth to access training and resources, Market accessibility became easier, there was access to cheap labor, social capital increased democratic voice, women and girls became empowered. This study is important because youth are deemed to be a marginalized and largest population cohort in developing nations
Influence of Capital Adequacy on the Loan Performance of Deposit Taking SACCOs in Kenya
Full text linkThe financial viability and long-term sustainability of SACCOs is threatened by credit risk that poses a challenge despite growth in the sector. We explore the influence of capital adequacy on loan performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya. Time series cross sectional unbalanced secondary panel data was analyzed from 175 deposit taking SACCOs licensed by SASRA as at December 2017. The data was obtained from audited financial statements submitted to SASRA over a five-year period (2013-2017). The unbalanced panel data was analyzed quantitatively using regression equations. The study adopted capital adequacy as the explanatory variable for the study and we applied both the long run (static) and short run (dynamic) panel models. The long run models assumed that previous period’s performance did not affect present period’s performance and therefore, no persistence (no lag dependent explanatory variables) in the model. The short run models assumed that immediate previous period performance will lag dependent explanatory variable, thus influenced present period’s performance. The Mann-Whitney U test was utilized in testing for robustness to see if the results of the empirical model would hold when subjected to a non-parametric test. Before the administration of multiple regression analysis a number of essential assumptions were checked so as to avoid type I and type II errors that occur during the interpretation stages of the model. These assumptions included testing for heteroscedasticity, autocorrelation, multivariate normality, multi-collinearity and linearity. Results show that capital adequacy significantly influence loan performance of deposit taking SACCOs in Kenya
Individuals’ Determinants of Participation in Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies in Mwanza and Tabora Rural Areas, Tanzania
Full text linkParticipation in Savings and Credits Co-operative Societies (SACCOs) is open to all. Yet, some individuals do not participate. The study assessed individuals’ determinants of participation in SACCOs. Data were collected cross- sectionally. Six SACCOs were purposively selected in four districts of Mwanza and Tabora regions, in which a total of 500 respondents (200 members and 300 non-members) were randomly selected. The study used a questionnaire and a key informant interview guide to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. Individuals’ determinants of participation in SACCOs were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and logit regression model. Age, marital status, education level, land size, microenterprise ownership, entrepreneurship experience and livestock ownership positively influenced participation in SACCOs while gender had a negative influence. Microenterprise ownership highly influenced the probability of an individual’s decision to participate in SACCOs relative to other socio-economic determinants. Moreover, lack of awareness on the operation of SACCOs was perceived as a factor hindering non-members’ participation in SACCOs. It is concluded that both socio- economic and institutional factors influence the individuals’ decisions participate. It is recommended that during the formation of SACCOs, SACCOs’ leaders should consider socio-economic factors that promote the likelihood of individuals’ decision to participate in SACCOs including age, marital status, education level, land size, microenterprise ownership, entrepreneurship experience and livestock ownership. Moreover, SACCOs’ leaders should put more efforts on awareness programs to attract new members through village meetings and other social gatherings
Smallholder Agriculture and Livelihood Sustainability Potentials among Rural Households: A Case of Sunflower Value Chain in Tanzania
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Sunflower cultivation has attracted the majority of smallholder farmers who have dominated the production node of the value chain. The chain activities have become the main income stream to households and thus increasing livelihood sustainability potentials. However, in some cases smallholder farmers only end up with minimal benefits since the markets are not stabilized to their advantage. As a result, the market practices continue to leave smallholder farmers exposed to livelihood stresses and shocks which affect their potentials for livelihood sustainability. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze the impact of sunflower value chain activities on livelihood sustainability potentials among households of smallholder farmers. A cross-sectional design was adopted to guide the study along with counterfactual approach to establish the hypothesised impact. A sample size of 368 respondents was used including participant and non-participant smallholder farmers and data was collected using questionnaire, key informant interview and focus group discussion. Quantitative data were analysed by using descriptive statistics and propensity score matching while qualitative data were transcribed and thereafter analysed using constant comparison technique. The findings show that most of the households had lower chances for livelihood sustainability (67.1%) while few households (12.5%) were categorised into high livelihood sustainability. The differences were attributable to one’s engagement in sunflower production which had an impact on livelihood sustainability as observed by the differences from propensity scores matching (MD = 1.394; t = 6.98 at p = 0.000). It was concluded that sunflower value chain is potential towards households’ livelihood sustainability unlike any other socio-economic activities as it enabled smallholder farmers to withstand livelihood shocks and stresses based on the generated household income