The Contributions of Primary Multiporpose Agricultural Cooperatives in Socio Economic Development and its Prospect Challenges in West Showa Zone, Oromia Regional State

Cooperatives, as economic enterprises and as self-help organizations, play a meaningful role in uplifting the socio-economic conditions of their members and their local communities. Over the many years back, cooperative enterprises have successfully operated locally owned people centered businesses while also serving as catalysts for social organization and cohesion. With their concern for their members and communities, they represent a model of economic enterprise that places high regard for democratic and human values and respect for the environment. As the world today faces unstable financial systems, increased insecurity of food supply, growing inequality worldwide, rapid climate change and increased environmental degradation, it is increasingly compelling to consider the model of economic enterprise that cooperatives offer. The objective of this study was to show the contributions of primary multipurpose agricultural cooperatives in socio economic development and the prospect challenges of primary multipurpose agricultural cooperatives socities in Ethiopia. The total population of rural members of focused study area were 4,867 and sample size of the research was 356 and it determined by using Kothari formula. Thus, research survey is collected from twelve multipurpose agricultural cooperatives which located in six different districts in West Shew Zone oromia regional State from 356 sample size. The study employed mixed method research approach as research design. It also employed both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis. The quantitative method of data collection was employed survey method and the qualitative method of data collection that had employed Key informant interview, FGD, KII and observation methods. Simple random sampling technique was employed so as to select sample respondents of the study. The quantitative data for the study was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics aided by SPSS version 20. Descriptive analysis of the data was carried-out using percentages, mean and standard deviations. In this study, primary multipurpose agricultural cooperatives has improved production trends of the members, moderate income contribution and providing modality service to the all members of cooperatives has deeply investigate. Also, the main the challenges of the cooperatives were lack of good infrastructures facilities, political instability, overrun of raw materials goods, lack of more experienced leaders and inadequate capital were the main constraints of the cooperatives.