In developing countries in which Nigeria is one, agriculture dominates the economy of the nation. It has been established that about 70% of Nigeria population is engaged in agriculture while 90% of Nigeria total food production comes from small farms and 60% of the country population earn their living from these small farms [1]. However, the challenges faced by individual fish farmers are often daunting, making it difficult to achieve their full potential. This is where cooperative societies step in, embodying the power of collective action. A cooperative society is an organization of people of common economic interest whose aim is to cater for the general well-being of its member [2].  This is done by uniting fish farmers under a common banner, it also create a platform for shared knowledge, resources, and support. This synergistic approach fosters resilience, innovation, and sustainable growth within the fish farming community [3]. Cooperative societies have long been recognized as important entities for small-scale farmers, providing numerous benefits such as access to resources, collective marketing, and knowledge sharing [4].

Furthermore, in the context of fish farming, cooperative societies can play a crucial role in improving access to capital for investment in fish farming infrastructure and equipment, as well as facilitating the collective bargaining power of the farmers in the marketing and distribution of their produce [5]. Previous studies have highlighted the potential for cooperative societies to enhance the socio-economic well-being of small-scale fish farmers through improved access to markets, technology, and financial services [6]. Also, cooperative societies play a crucial role in fostering collaboration and collective action among farmers in various agricultural sectors. By pooling resources, knowledge, and expertise, these societies enable farmers to overcome individual limitations and achieve economies of scale [7]. Despite the existence of cooperative societies among fish farmers in Awka Agricultural zone of Anambra State, there is a lack of comprehensive assessment and understanding of their roles in supporting and improving the livelihoods of the fish farmers in the study area. This study aims to address this gap by assessing the roles of cooperative societies in providing access to resources, improving productivity, enhancing marketing opportunities, and promoting social cohesion among fish farmers in the Awka Agricultural zone. It will also identify the challenges faced by these cooperative societies and explore potential strategies to overcome them. By conducting this assessment, the study aims to provide valuable insights and recommendations to policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders in the fish farming sector to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of cooperative societies in supporting and empowering fish farmers in Anambra State.

The Study Area

This study was carried out in Awka Agricultural zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. The State is located in the Southeastern region of Nigeria. Awka, the capital of Anambra State, Nigeria is located between latitudes 6°06' N and 6°16' N and longitudes 7°01' E and 7°10' E. The area lies within the tropical rainforest zone of West Africa with an average humidity of 80%.

Data Collection

The data used was obtained through the use of structured questionnaires that was administered to fish farmers, and it constituted the major research instruments for this study. A total of 60 questionnaires was shared and retrieved among fish farmers in the study area.

Method of Data Analysis

Descriptive statistical methods were used in the analysis of data. Descriptive statistics used include the mean, frequency and percentages. This was used to summarize the socioeconomic and demographic variable of the respondents in table forms.

Benefits of Cooperative Society

The benefits of identifying with a cooperative society are shown in Table 1. From the results, most of the respondents (33.33%) indicated that cooperative societies increased accessibility to loans/grants, while other respondents indicated that the benefit they derive include; protecting the interest of members, training of members, improved culture techniques, distribution of subsidized farm inputs, information dissemination and increased financial returns respectively.

Table 1: Benefits of Belonging to a Cooperative Society (n=60).

Source: Field Survey (2023).

Socioeconomic Characteristics of the Respondents in the Study Area

The socioeconomic characteristics of the respondents are presented in Table 2. The male constituted about 70.0% of the respondents in the study area, while the remaining 30.0% were females. The age of the respondents indicated that majority of them were within the age bracket 36-50years (46.67%), while only few were above 65 years (3.33%). The result further indicated that most of the respondents (61.67%) were married with household size of 5-10 (53.33%). The educational status of respondents revealed that the majority of them (58.33%) had secondary education, while 40% and 1.67% had tertiary and primary education, respectively. None of the respondents were without formal education. Investigation into the years of experience and primary occupation of the respondents indicated that most of them (45%) had 6–10 years of experience as fish farmers and majority (48.33%) were also engaged in fish farming as their primary occupation.

Table 2: Socio-Economic Characteristics of Respondents in the Study Area (n=60).

Source: Field Survey (2023).

Membership and Level of Awareness of Cooperative Society by Respondents

The level of awareness of the existence of cooperative society in the study area is shown in Table 3, and most of the fish farmers (55%) were members of a cooperative society, while others were not (45%). The results further indicated that majority of these fish farmers were aware of the cooperative society in their locality, with majority (86.67%) aware on the importance of belonging to a cooperative society. Results further showed that majority of the respondents (68.33%) found out about the cooperative society in their locality from other farmers.

Table 3: Membership and Level of Awareness of Cooperative Society by the Respondents in the Study Area (n=60).

Source: Field Survey (2023).

Level of Satisfaction of the Respondents Membership of a Cooperative Society in the Study Area

The level of satisfaction of cooperative activities by the members are highlighted in Table 4, and it indicated that majority of the members (63.33%) were satisfied, while 10% were not satisfied and about 6.67% were indifferent.

Table 4: Level of Satisfaction of the Respondents Membership of a Cooperative Society in the Study Area (n=60).

Source: Field Survey (2023).

Constraints faced by Cooperative societies in the Study Area

The constraints faced by the cooperative societies in discharge of their duties are highlighted in Table 5. Ineffective loan policy (25%) was the major constraint indicated by the respondents in the study area, while mismanagement (18.33%), limited finance (33.33%), lack of trust (8.33%), illiteracy (3.33%), government policy (5%) and attitude of members (6.67%) were the other constraints faced by the cooperative society in discharge of their duties in the study area.

Table 5: Constraints that affects Cooperative Activities in the Study Area (n=60).

Source: Field Survey (2023).

From the demographic distribution, it is evident that the majority of fish farmers in the Awka Agricultural zone were male (70%) compared to female farmers (30%). This result is in line with that of Ibemenuga et al [8], on the impact of cooperative society on fish farming in Anambra State, Nigeria. Furthermore, the age distribution reveals a significant proportion of farmers in the 36-50 years age bracket (46.67%).The marital status and household size data indicate that a significant portion of fish farmers are married (61.67%) and belong to households with 5-10 members (53.33%). This finding is in agreement with Odetola et al [9]. According to Olaoye et al [10], marriage confer some level of responsibility and commitment on individuals who are married, and this highlights the importance of considering family dynamics and responsibilities in designing cooperative programs that cater to the needs of entire households rather than just individual farmers. Additionally, the literacy levels among the respondents were generally high with majority of the respondents (58.33%) having secondary education. This underscores the importance of providing tailored educational resources and training programs to accommodate farmers with varying levels of formal education.

The duration of fish farming experience among the surveyed population shows a diverse range of experience levels, with a considerable proportion (45%) of farmers having 6-10 years of experience. This result is in line with that of Ezeh et al [11], in the analysis of cooperative aids to member’s livelihood among fishing communities in Anambra North Agricultural zone of Anambra State, Nigeria. This suggests a mix of seasoned and relatively new farmers within the community, which could influence knowledge-sharing and skill development within the cooperative setting. The primary occupations of the farmers provide valuable context for understanding their level of engagement with fish farming as a source of income. The data shows that nearly half of the farmers have fish farming as their primary occupation (48.33%), underscoring the significance of cooperative support in enhancing the livelihoods of those reliant on fish farming for income generation. The income levels generated by the farmers offer insights into the economic impact of cooperative participation, with a notable proportion of farmers (38.33%) falling within the income bracket of 201,000-500,000. This indicates that cooperative activities may contribute significantly to the financial well-being of members and suggests that further support and resources could potentially boost income levels further.

The data on cooperative membership and sources of awareness reveal that a majority of farmers (55%) are members of cooperatives, with word-of-mouth through other farmers being the most common source of information (68.33%). This underscores the role of peer networks and community influence in promoting cooperative participation and highlights the importance of leveraging existing social connections to enhance cooperative outreach and engagement. One of the most significant contributions of cooperative societies identified in the study was the increased accessibility to loans and grants, which showed a substantial 33.33% improvement. Cooperatives often provide collateral or group guarantees, making it easier for fish farmers to access credit facilities. This finding is in line with that of Akerele et al [12], whose study revealed that majority of fish farmer’s sourced fund through cooperatives. The farmers' level of satisfaction with cooperative activities indicates a generally positive sentiment, with a significant portion expressing satisfaction (63.33%). This result was in line with the findings of Edun et al [13].  Understanding the factors contributing to satisfaction or dissatisfaction can provide valuable insights into areas for improvement. In assessment of the constraints faced by the cooperative society, limited finance was observed to be one of the major constraints faced by the society. This was reported by Oluwatayo et al [14], as one of the major constraints facing most cooperative societies in Nigeria and that without sufficient capital, their day-to-day activities are limited.

This study has revealed numerous insights into the impact and importance of cooperative efforts in enhancing the livelihoods and productivity of fish farmers within the region. In this the study, it became evident that cooperative societies play a pivotal role in fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, resource pooling, and market access for fish farmers, thereby contributing significantly to their economic well-being and overall success. One of the key findings from the project was the significant role that cooperative societies play in facilitating access to essential resources such as finance, inputs, and equipment. By pooling their resources together, members of these cooperatives can access loans and grants that would otherwise be challenging to obtain as individual farmers. This collective approach not only reduces the financial burden on individual farmers but also enables them to invest in better quality inputs and technologies, ultimately leading to improved productivity and profitability. Fish farmers should be encouraged to establish fisheries cooperatives.

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