COOPERATIVE AS AN INSTRUMENT FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION
ABSTRACT
This research study is designed to show or/and evaluate how co-operative societies can be used to alleviate poverty in Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State. According to H. Calvert, co-operative society is defined as a form of organization where-in people voluntarily associate, together as human beings, on a basis of equality, for the promotion of the economic interest of themselves. Co-operative society is also seen as a voluntary association of individuals combined to achieve an improvement in their social and economic conditions, the common ownership and democratic management and control of the enterprise remains theirs. In Umuahia North L.G.A of Abia State, there are many co-operative societies but for the benefit of this study some societies were selected. Two sources of data namely primary and secondary data were used. Questionnaire were also used as a research instruments to supplement information while the hypothesis testing was conducted using chi-square (x)2. Poverty hinders the growth and development of our country in the following ways; Insufficient capital, Low per capital income, Corrupt officials and Poor economics of scale etc. On the basis of the above findings and conclusion the following recommendations were made to eradicate and improve or/and make greater percentage of Nigerians live above poverty line through adopting the following strategies; – FADAMA – This is programmed aims at establishing irrigation to provide vegetables in country all year round. _ NDE – This is aimed at creating job opportunity by training interested individuals on different skills. With the following programmes, co-operative society with the help of government can immensely eradicate poverty in Nigeria.