Determinants of smallholder farmers' membership in co-operative societies: evidence from rural Kenya

Purpose - Despite the potential for co-operatives to improve smallholder farmers' livelihoods, membership in the co-operatives is low. This study examines factors that influence smallholder farmers' decisions to join agricultural co-operatives. Design/methodology/approach - This study involved a survey of 1,274 smallholder chicken farmers. The data were analysed through a two-samplet-test of association, Pearson's Chi-square test and binary probit regression model. Findings - The results suggest that farming as the main source of income, owning a chicken house, education attainment, attending training or accessing information, vaccination of goats and keeping a larger herd of goats are the key factors which significantly influence co-operative membership. However, gender, age, household size, distance to the nearest agrovet, vaccinating chicken and the number of chickens kept do not influence co-operative membership. Research limitations/implications - The survey did not capture data on some variables which have been shown to influence co-operative membership. Nevertheless, the results show key explanatory variables which influence membership in co-operatives. Practical implications - These findings have implications for development agencies that seek to use co-operatives for agricultural development and improvement of smallholder farmers' livelihoods. The agencies can use the results to initiate interventions relevant for different types of smallholder farmers through co-operatives. Originality/value - This study highlights the influence of smallholder farmers' financial investments in farming and the extent of commercialisation on co-operative membership. Due to low membership in co-operatives, recognising the heterogeneity of smallholder farmers is the key in agricultural development interventions through co-operative membership. Peer review - The peer review history for this article is available at:https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-03-2022-0165.