The Impact of Collective Action on Enhancing Crop Productivity: A Multimethod Analysis of Farmers' Groups in Morogoro District, Tanzania
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.1.9Keywords:
Collective Action, Crop Productivity, Farmer’s Groups, Multimethod, TanzaniaAbstract
The purpose of the current study was to assess the impact of collective action on smallholder farmers’ crop productivity. This study is guided by Collective Action Theory and Social Capital Theory which together insist on the necessity of collaboration among individuals to achieve common goals that may not be attainable individually. Cross-sectional design was applied whereby simple random and stratified sampling techniques were used to draw a sample of 204 respondents in which 102 were members and 102 were non-members in farmers’ groups. Data were collected through interview with questionnaires as the main instrument. Collected data were analysed using paired sample t-test, Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), Difference-in-Differences (DiD), and Propensity Score Matching (PSM). The study found that average annual output of all crops produced by the farmers before joining farmers’ group was significantly different from that produced after joining farmers’ group (P <0.05). Paired sample t-test results indicated the significant difference (p=0.05) farmers’ group members and non-members in crop production. SEM findings show significant positive coefficients for pineapple (β = 0.568), banana (β = 0.059), black pepper (β = 0.058), cinnamon (β = 0.021), cardamom (β = 0.026), and cloves (β = 0.033). PSM results show that demographic factors, income levels, and food security significantly influence participation in collective action initiatives with a common support range for propensity scores between 0.0571 and 0.9878. Furthermore, DiD results depict that there is significant difference (p=0.05) on crop productivity between members in farmers groups and non-members on pineapple, banana, black pepper, cinnamon, cardamom and clove crops. In conclusion, farmers’ group membership has a positive contribution on crop productivity in the study area. Government and other agricultural practitioners should put more effort to support registered farmers’ groups as it has great role in supporting smallholder farmers on crop productivity. Policy interventions is needed to be emphasized on productivity issues, as it appeared to be one of the main barriers to expanding crop productivity.
References
Abate, G., Berhanu, W., & Tesfaye, T. (2014). The impact of agricultural cooperatives on productivity and technical efficiency: Evidence from Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 9(4), 267-278.
Abdul-Rahaman, A., & Abdulai, A. (2018). Do farmer groups impact on farm yield and efficiency of smallholder farmers? Evidence from rice farmers in northern Ghana. Food policy, 81, 95-105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.007 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2018.10.007
Addai, K. N., Owusu, V., & Danso-Abbeam, G. (2014). Effects of farmer-Based-organization on the technical efficiency of maize farmers across Various Agro-Ecological Zones of Ghana. Journal of Economics and Development Studies, 2(1), 141-161.
Addai, K. N., Temoso, O., & Ng'ombe, J. N. (2022). Participation in farmer organizations and adoption of farming technologies among rice farmers in Ghana. International Journal of Social Economics, 49(4), 529-545. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-06-2021-0337 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-06-2021-0337
Alex, S., Magasha, O., & Mlage, F. V. (2024). Contribution of Farmers' Organisations on Smallholder Farmers Market Access: A Case of MVIWATA in Morogoro District, Tanzania. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 12, 314-329. https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2024.129018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4236/jss.2024.129018
Asres, A., Beshir, M., & Tadesse, A. (2013). The impact of agricultural extension programs on farm productivity in Ethiopia. African Journal of Agricultural Economics, 8(2), 56-70.
Ayouba, K., Duvivier, C., & Bussière, C. (2025). Does agricultural cooperative membership improve farm productive performance? A meta‐regression analysis. Agricultural Economics, 56(1), 45-72. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12862
https://doi.org/10.1111/agec.12862
Bachke, M. (2019). Do farmers' organizations enhance the welfare of smallholders? Findings from the Mozambican national agricultural survey. Food Policy, 89, 101792. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2019.101792 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodpol.2019.101792
Bizikova, L., Nkonya, E., Minah, M., Hanisch, M., Turaga, R., Speranza, C., Karthikeyan, M., Tang, L., Ghezzi Kopel, K., Kelly, J., Celestin, A., & Timmers, B. (2020). A scoping review of the contributions of farmers' organizations to smallholder agriculture. Nature Food, 1, 620-630. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00164-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s43016-020-00164-x
Caliendo, M., & Kopeinig, S. (2008). Some practical guidance for the implementation of propensity score matching. Journal of Economic Surveys, 22(1), 31-72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467- 6419.2007.00527.x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6419.2007.00527.x
Feng, Z., Miao, Q., Shi, H., Li, X., Yan, J., Gonçalves, J. M., Yu, D., Yan, Y., & Feng, W. (2024). Global trends and networks in soil fertility enhancement techniques: A bibliometric analysis. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 3, 4099-4117. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01777-y DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-024-01777-y
Fischer, E., & Qaim, M. (2012). Linking smallholders to markets: determinants and impacts of farmer collective action in Kenya. World development, 40(6), 1255-1268. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.11.018 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2011.11.018
Guyalo, A. K., & Ifa, L. T. (2023). Impact of agricultural cooperatives on the food security status of households in Oromia regional state, Ethiopia: The case of Halu Woreda. Cogent Economics & Finance, 11(2), 2237716. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2237716 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2023.2237716
Harvey, C. A., Saborio-Rodríguez, M., Martinez-Rodríguez, M. R., Viguera, B., Chain-Guadarrama, A., Vignola, R., & Alpizar, F. (2018). Climate change impacts and adaptation among smallholder farmers in Central America. Agriculture & Food Security, 7, 57. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0209-x DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40066-018-0209-x
Heckman, J. J., Ichimura, H., & Todd, P. E. (1997). Matching as an econometric evaluation estimator: Evidence from evaluating a job training programme. The review of economic studies, 64(4), 605-654. https://doi.org/10.2307/2971733 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2971733
Hossain, M., Khatun, S., & Rahman, M. (2021). The role of farmers' groups in improving agricultural productivity in Bangladesh: A study of group dynamics and market access. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 34(2), 135-146.
IFAD. (2016). Engaging with farmers' organizations for more effective smallholder development. Rome, Italy: IFAD. Available at: http://www.ifad.org/documents/38714170/39118535/engaging_farmers_org.pdf
Kelly, S., & Rurangwa, J. (2018). Strengthening Institutional Performance in Rwanda. Performance Improvement, 57(5), 31-37. https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.21782 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pfi.21782
Kirui, O. K., Manda, J., & Nyikal, R. A. (2013). Collective action, smallholder farmers' participation in agricultural markets, and welfare in Kenya. Agricultural Economics, 44(3), 309-322.
Kurgat, B. K., Lamanna, C., Kimaro, A., Namoi, N., Manda, L., & Rosenstock, T. S. (2020). Adoption of climate-smart agriculture technologies in Tanzania. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 4, 55. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00055 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.00055
Lin, B., Wang, X., Jin, S., Yang, W., & Li, H. (2022). Impacts of cooperative membership on rice productivity: Evidence from China. World Development, 150, 105669. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105669
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2021.105669
Meyer, F., Robinson, M., & Johnson, R. (2023). Farmers' groups and agricultural productivity: Evidence from the East African region. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 72(1), 78-94
Msuta, P. B., & Urassa, J. K. (2015). The contribution of farmers organizations to smallholder farmers well-being: A Case study of Kasulu district, Tanzania. African journal of agricultural research, 10(23), 2343-2349. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2014.9261 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2014.9261
MVIWATA. (2011). Annual Report: Activities and achievements in 2011. MVIWATA, Morogoro, Tanzania. Available at: http://www.mviwata.org.
MVIWATA. (2013). Annual Report: Achievement in economic empowerment; Increase in price change, productivity and access to finance. MVIWATA, Morogoro, Tanzania. Available at: http://www.mviwata.org.
MVIWATA. (2016). Strengthening Farmers' Organizations: MVIWATA's Experiences in Tanzania. Morogoro, Tanzania. Retrieved from https://www.mviwata.org
Mwaura, F. (2014). Effect of farmer group membership on agricultural technology adoption and crop productivity in Uganda. African crop science journal, 22, 917-927.
Olagunju, K. O., Ogunniyi, A. I., Oyetunde-Usman, Z., Omotayo, A. O., & Awotide, B. A. (2021). Does agricultural cooperative membership impact technical efficiency of maize production in Nigeria: An analysis correcting for biases from observed and unobserved attributes. Plos one, 16(1), e0245426. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245426 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0245426
Oluremi, O., Iderawumi, A., & Olatunde, O. (2021). Problems affecting small-scale farmers in marketing agricultural produce in rural areas. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 13(2), 55-63. DOI: 10.5897/JAERD2021.1258.
Ostrom, E. (1990). Governing the commons: The evolution of institutions for collective action. Cambridge university press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511807763
https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511807763
Putnam, R. D. (2000) Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community. New York: Simon & Schuster. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/358916.361990
https://doi.org/10.1145/358916.361990
Ram, D., Ganpat, W., & Narine, L. K. (2017). Management performance of farmers' groups and its impact on membership: A prerequisite for group sustainability in Trinidad. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 9(10), 239-246. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/JAERD2017.0893
https://doi.org/10.5897/JAERD2017.0893
Shiferaw, B., Hellin, J., & Muricho, G. (2011). Improving market access and agricultural productivity growth in Africa: what role for producer organizations and collective action institutions?. Food security, 3, 475-489. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-011-0153-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-011-0153-0
Schwab, D. P. (2013). Research methods for organizational studies. Psychology Press. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410611284 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9781410611284
Staatz, J. M. (1987). Farmers' incentives to take collective action via cooperatives: a transaction cost approach. Cooperative theory: New approaches, 18, 87-107.
URT. (2021). Tanzania National Agricultural Policy. United Republic of Tanzania. Retrieved from https://www.nac.nm.gov.tz/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Agriculture-and-Food-Security-in-Tanzania-2022.pdf
Woolcock, M. (1998). Social capital and economic development: Toward a theoretical synthesis and policy framework. Theory and society, 27(2), 151-208. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006884930135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006884930135
Yadav, I. S., & Rao, M. S. (2024). Agricultural credit and productivity of crops in India: field evidence from small and marginal farmers across social groups. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies, 14(3), 435-454. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JADEE-05-2022-0092
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 African Quarterly Social Science Review
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
How to Cite
