INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY

Agriculture, from the beginning of time, the first concern of man has been food clothing and shelter in that order. Agriculture being one of the oldest industries, its origin can be traced to the earliest human societies. the existence of man fro the prehistoric era up to the era ancient civilization depended on the ability of the individual to hunt and gather food for consumption. Food was, however the basic source of life which provided him energy in his wondering and constant struggle for survival. However, with the realization that food was basic need for survival, efforts were made by early man to cultivate crops.

In spite of the limitations which agriculture is facing, it still remained the most important sector of the world economy. Agriculture is a basic industry that supports all industries and all aspects of needs can justify from its role and contributions to nation building. Between 75 - 80% of working population in rural areas engage in agriculture production (farming). Some are provide jobs in the industries e.g. textile industry, Breweries and shoe industry.

Agriculture aids in rural development, with the location of industries that utilize agricultural produce in an area other investors go to rural areas to set up factories trade and operate business centers people are employed and paid to earn their living. Agricultural provides industrial raw material, textile mills required cotton, and plastic industries use rubber/latex.

Agricultural involves operational clearing of the land and the breaking-up of surface soil, the sowing for seeds, the removal of the weeds from the farm, the harvesting and storage of crops which are disposed of by marketing and the breeding and rearing of animals. All these Co-operatives can do in a number of different, which involve amounts of labour, time, expense and productivity. Agricultural education is an area in agriculture that a concern with helping people to develop a desire to learn and teach agriculture. This is a change of behaviour towards agricultural practices.

1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Agricultural co-operatives are greatly involved in food production so as to improve the social and economic life of the members and the country as a whole.

In spite of these, agricultural co-operative are still experience low food production owning to some distributing factors, as it associated being studied.

1. High financial commitment in the formation of the agricultural co-operative of different size and types.

2. Members neglecting their obligations, participating in-group farm work in the farmland weeding, planting, harvesting and marketing of farm produce.

3. Procurement of farm inputs like high yielding seeds, stem and seeding, agro-chemical disinfectants and fertilizer.

4. Problems of marketing of produce and efficiently distribution and returns to inputs utilized.

1.3 OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

In food production the study is aimed all examining the role of Agriculture Co-operative food production so as to benefit members and the society as a whole. The purposes of this study are:

i. To identify the factor that can cause low food production in agriculture co-operative in (Enugu) North.

ii. To investigate whether problem identified are associated with the agriculture co-operative society.

iii. To investigate the farms of supports and incentives provided by the government to the agriculture co-operatives if there are any.

iv. To find out the ways and methods that can be used in solving the problems of low food productivity.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

To achieve the purpose or objectives of this study the following research questions were formulated.

i. What are the causes of the low food production among agriculture co-operative in Enugu North Local Government Area?

ii. To what extent are the problem identified applied or associated with the agriculture co-operative societies being studied?

iii. Do agricultural co-operative receive incentives from the government?

iv. What form does the incentives from government take?