Abstract:
Smallholder farmers often establish associations including co-operatives to address
production and financial challenges and household level needs. However, due to
drastic climate changes, agricultural co-operatives fail to address members’
production and food security needs among others. The study aimed to determine
the food security status among co-operative members and determine whether
horizontal integration of co-operatives has potential to improve food security.
A cross-sectional design guided the study. Simple random sampling was used to
select 384 respondents from the co-operative societies while purposive technique
was used to select the non-members for comparison. Household survey, key
informant interview and focus group discussion were used to collect data.
Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was used to determine household food
security status while descriptive statistics and independent samples t-test were used
to analyze data. Findings show significant differences in household food security
status among respondents: multiple members had high food security (41.5%),
single members (34.5%) while the non-members (38.7%). Thus, there was a
significant difference in food security status among households which is
attributed to the horizontal integration practices among co-operatives. As a
result of integration, multiple members had more access to resources important
towards meeting daily food requirements unlike their counterparts. In
conclusion, horizontal integration practices have a significant influence in
improving food security among households of co-operative members.
Consequently, non-members should consider joining co-operatives to enhance
their food security. Further, single members should consider the potential of
becoming multiple members to improve and sustain their household food
security status.
