ABSTRACT
This study investigates the impact of cooperative organizations on the business performance of plantain marketers in Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, with 222 respondents comprising cooperative members and non-members. Data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and observations and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings reveal that cooperative members had better access to financial resources, higher profitability, larger customer bases, and faster stock turnover compared to non-members. The study concludes that cooperatives significantly enhance the business performance of plantain marketers by providing critical resources and support. Recommendations include government support for cooperatives, capacity-building programs, and infrastructure development to sustain and expand the benefits of cooperative membership.

Agricultural marketing plays a significant role in the economic development of many nations, particularly in developing countries like Nigeria. Plantain, a staple food and cash crop, is widely cultivated and marketed in Ago-Iwoye, a semi-urban community in Ogun State. Plantain marketing contributes to food security, income generation, and employment, especially for rural and semi-urban households.

However, individual plantain marketers in Ago-Iwoye face several challenges, including limited access to credit facilities, high transportation costs, price instability, and market inefficiencies. These challenges often hinder their ability to maximize profits and improve their livelihoods.

Cooperative organizations have emerged as a viable solution to address these challenges. These organizations enable collective action, where members pool resources, access credit, and benefit from economies of scale. By providing training, financial assistance, and a platform for collective bargaining, cooperatives enhance the business performance of their members, particularly in agricultural marketing.

In Ago-Iwoye, cooperative organizations have been instrumental in supporting small-scale marketers, including plantain traders. However, there is a need to empirically assess the extent to which these cooperatives influence the business performance of plantain marketers in the area.

Despite the evident benefits of cooperative organizations, plantain marketers in Ago-Iwoye still struggle with issues such as poor access to markets, insufficient capital, and price volatility. Many marketers remain unaware of the full benefits of cooperative membership, while others cite concerns about cooperative mismanagement and inefficiency.

Furthermore, existing studies on cooperative organizations in Nigeria have largely focused on general agricultural marketing or specific crops like cassava and rice, with little emphasis on plantain marketing. This knowledge gap underscores the need to investigate the specific impact of cooperative organizations on the business performance of plantain marketers in Ago-Iwoye.

The general objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of cooperative organizations on the business performance of plantain marketing in Ago-Iwoye. The specific objectives are:

The study seeks to address the following research questions:

This study has both theoretical and practical significance.

The study contributes to the growing body of literature on cooperative organizations and agricultural marketing. By focusing on plantain marketing, it fills a critical gap in research and provides a nuanced understanding of how cooperatives impact business performance in the context of Ago-Iwoye.

For plantain marketers, this study highlights the potential benefits of joining cooperative organizations. For policymakers, the findings can guide the development of supportive policies to strengthen cooperative structures. Cooperative leaders can also use the insights to address challenges and improve their service delivery.

This study focuses on plantain marketers in Ago-Iwoye who are members of cooperative organizations. The scope includes the examination of cooperative benefits, business performance indicators, and challenges faced by members.