Challenges of Agricultural Farmers’ Groups and Cooperatives in Eastern Bhutan
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Published
Jun 4, 2021
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Abstract
Bhutan has been promoting Farmers’ Groups (FGs) and Cooperatives (Coops) – also referred to as ‘group’ or ‘groups’ in this study – to cater to the agricultural transition from subsistence to commercial farming. Despite the increasing number of groups in the country, their challenges remain unexplored, especially in Eastern Bhutan. Therefore, this study assessed the challenges of these groups in six Eastern districts of Bhutan. Face-to-face interviews using the semi-structured questionnaire were conducted to collect data from 301 members of groups selected via the proportionate random sampling. The results from the principal component analysis show that FGs and Coops in Bhutan face five major challenges: (1) group management issues; (2) technological and financial issues; (3) marketing issues; (4) farm input issues; and (5) member retention issues. The five components explained 19.42%, 11.81%, 7.70%, 6.88%, and 5.92% of the variance; and overall, they explained 52% of the total variance. Accordingly, effectual group formation, group management training, farm machinery and input subsidization, contract business escalation, product value addition, and existing group reinforcement are recommended.
Keywords: Agricultural Challenges, Farmers’ Group, Cooperatives, Bhutan
References
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Dendup, T., & Aditto, S. (2020). Performance and Challenges of Agriculture Cooperatives in Bhutan. Khon Kaen Agriculture Journal, 48(5), 1194-1205. Retrieved from https://ag2.kku.ac.th/kaj/PDF.cfm?filename=22_107-2-48-51.pdf&id=4259&keeptrack=16
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Phanchung, Dorji, P., Sonam, T., & Pelden, K. (2002). Smallholder Dairy Farming in Bhutan: Characteristics, Constraints, and Development Opportunities. In P. M. Tulachan, M. A. Jabbar, & M. A. M. Saleem (Eds.), Smallholder Dairy in Mixed Farming Systems of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: Issues and Prospects for Development (pp. 19-35). Nepal: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.
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Sonam, T., & Martwanna, N. (2012). Performance of Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Groups in the East and West Central Regions of Bhutan: Members’ Perspective. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 4(1), 23-29. Retrieved from https://academicjournals.org/journal/JAERD/article-abstract/41157B12733
Suhr, D. D. (2006). Exploratory or Confirmatory Factor Analysis? In SAS Conference Proceedings: SAS Users Group International 31, 26-29 March 2006, San Francisco, California. Retrieved from https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings/proceedings/sugi31/200-31.pdf
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using Multivariate Statistics (4th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Tashi, S., & Wangchuk, K. (2016). Organic vs. Conventional Rice Production: Comparative Assessment under Farmers’ Condition in Bhutan. Organic Agriculture, 6(4), 255-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-015-0132-4
Tshering, D. (2014). Linking Farmers with Institutes through Vegetables. Retrieved from http://www.agrimarket.gov.bt/public/news/news/group/16/page/31/id/345
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Wangchuk, K., Dorji, T., Wangdi, J., Wurzinger, M., & Zollitsch, W. (2019). Caught in the Middle: Reasons for Hindered Growth among Dairy Groups of Haa District in Western Bhutan. Advances in Dairy Research, 7(3), 1-8. Retrieved from https://www.longdom.org/abstract/caught-in-the-middle-reasons-for-hindered-growth-among-dairy-groups-of-haa-district-in-western-bhutan-44060.html
Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (3rd ed.). New York: Harper and Row.
Bhujal, A. K., & Sonam, T. (2014). Smallholder Dairy Farming as a Source of Livelihood: A Case Study from Three Agro-Ecological Zones of Bhutan. Bhutan Journal of Natural Resources & Development, 1(1), 11-17. Retrieved from http://www.bjnrd.org/article.php?article=21
Briggeman, B. C., Jacobs, K. L., Kenkel, P., & McKee, G. (2016). Current Trends in Cooperative Finance. Agriculture Finance Review, 76(3), 402–410. http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/AFR-04-2016-0034
Cerny, C. A., & Kaiser, H. F. (1977). A Study of a Measure of Sampling Adequacy for Factor-analytic Correlation Matrices. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 12(1), 43-47. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr1201_3
DAMC. (n.d.). Farmers Groups and Cooperatives. Retrieved from http://www.agrimarket.gov.bt/public/index/about/id/1
Dendup, T. (2018). Agricultural Transformation in Bhutan: From Peasants to Entrepreneurial Farmers. Asian Journal of Agricultural Extension, Economics & Sociology, 23(3), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.9734/AJAEES/2018/40289
Dendup, T., & Aditto, S. (2020). Performance and Challenges of Agriculture Cooperatives in Bhutan. Khon Kaen Agriculture Journal, 48(5), 1194-1205. Retrieved from https://ag2.kku.ac.th/kaj/PDF.cfm?filename=22_107-2-48-51.pdf&id=4259&keeptrack=16
Fulton, M. (1999). Cooperatives and Member Commitment. LTA, 4(99), 418-437.
Hair, J. F., Black, W. C., Babin, B. J., Anderson, R. E., & Tatham, R. L. (2006). Multivariate Data Analysis (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River: Pearson Prentice Hall.
International Co-operative Alliance. (2018). Cooperative Identity, Values & Principles. Retrieved from https://www.ica.coop/en/cooperatives/cooperative-identity
Jakobsen, G. (1995). When Education for Cooperation Leads to Development in Cooperatives: A Study of Educational Processes. Journal of Rural Cooperation, 23(2), 119-150.
Kanyongo, G. Y. (2005). Determining the Correct Number of Components to Extract from a Principal Components Analysis: A Monte Carlo Study of the Accuracy of the Scree Plot. Journal of Modern Applied Statistical Methods, 4(1), 120-133. DOI: 10.22237/jmasm/1114906380
Katwal, T. B., Dorji, S., Dorji, R., Tshering, L., Ghimiray, M., Chhetri, G. B., Dorji, T. Y., & Tamang, A. M. (2015). Community Perspectives on the On-farm Diversity of Six Major Cereals and Climate Change in Bhutan. Agriculture, 5(1), 2-16. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture5010002
Kumar, V., Wankhede, K. G., & Gena, H. C. (2015). Role of Cooperatives in Improving Livelihood of Farmers on Sustainable Basis. American Journal of Educational Research, 3(10), 1258-1266. DOI: 10.12691/education-3-10-8
Ledesma, R. D., & Valero-Mora, P. (2007). Determining the Number of Factors to Retain in EFA: An Easy-to-Use Computer Program for Carrying Out Parallel Analysis. Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation, 12, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.7275/wjnc-nm63
MoAF. (2010). The Cooperatives Rules and Regulations of Bhutan 2010. Thimphu, Bhutan: RGoB. Retrieved from https://www.informea.org/en/legislation/cooperative-rules-and-regulations-bhutan-2010
MoAF. (2019). Report on the Evaluation of Farmers Groups and Cooperatives. Thimphu, Bhutan: RGoB.
National Environment Commission. (2011). Second National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Thimphu, Bhutan: RGoB.
National Statistics Bureau. (2017). Bhutan Living Standards Survey Report 2017. Thimphu, Bhutan: RGoB. Retrieved from http://www.nsb.gov.bt/publication/files/pub2yo10667rb.pdf
Neuman, W. L. (2012). Designing the Face-to-Face Survey. In L. Gideon (Ed.), Handbook of Survey Methodology for the Social Sciences (pp. 227-248). New York: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-3876-2_14
Nidup, K., Tshering, D., Wangdi, S., Gyeltshen, C., Phuntsho, T., & Moran, C. (2011). Farming and Biodiversity of Pigs in Bhutan. Animal Genetic Resources / Resources Génétiques Animales / Recursos Genéticos Animales, 48, 47-61. https://doi.org/10.1017/S2078633610001256
Pelzom, T., & Katel, O. (2017). Youth Perception of Agriculture and Potential for Employment in the Context of Rural Development in Bhutan. Development, Environment, and Foresight, 3(2), 92-106. Retrieved from http://def-journal.eu/index.php/def/article/view/53
Phanchung, Dorji, P., Sonam, T., & Pelden, K. (2002). Smallholder Dairy Farming in Bhutan: Characteristics, Constraints, and Development Opportunities. In P. M. Tulachan, M. A. Jabbar, & M. A. M. Saleem (Eds.), Smallholder Dairy in Mixed Farming Systems of the Hindu Kush-Himalayas: Issues and Prospects for Development (pp. 19-35). Nepal: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development.
Pujara, M. K. (2016). Problems and Issues Facing Farmers Groups and Cooperatives in Agriculture Marketing. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294775951_Problems_and_Issues_facing_Farmers_groups_and_cooperatives_in_Agriculture_marketing
Sonam, T., & Martwanna, N. (2012). Performance of Smallholder Dairy Farmers’ Groups in the East and West Central Regions of Bhutan: Members’ Perspective. Journal of Agricultural Extension and Rural Development, 4(1), 23-29. Retrieved from https://academicjournals.org/journal/JAERD/article-abstract/41157B12733
Suhr, D. D. (2006). Exploratory or Confirmatory Factor Analysis? In SAS Conference Proceedings: SAS Users Group International 31, 26-29 March 2006, San Francisco, California. Retrieved from https://support.sas.com/resources/papers/proceedings/proceedings/sugi31/200-31.pdf
Tabachnick, B. G., & Fidell, L. S. (2001). Using Multivariate Statistics (4th ed.). Needham Heights, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Tashi, S., & Wangchuk, K. (2016). Organic vs. Conventional Rice Production: Comparative Assessment under Farmers’ Condition in Bhutan. Organic Agriculture, 6(4), 255-265. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13165-015-0132-4
Tshering, D. (2014). Linking Farmers with Institutes through Vegetables. Retrieved from http://www.agrimarket.gov.bt/public/news/news/group/16/page/31/id/345
van der Ploeg, J. D., Long, A., & Banks, J. (2002). The Socio-economic Impact of Rural Development Processes within Europe. In J. D. van der Ploeg, J. Banks, & A. Long (Eds.), Living Country Sides: Rural Development Processes in Europe-The State of the Art. Doetinchem: Elsevier.
Wangchuk, K., Dorji, T., Wangdi, J., Wurzinger, M., & Zollitsch, W. (2019). Caught in the Middle: Reasons for Hindered Growth among Dairy Groups of Haa District in Western Bhutan. Advances in Dairy Research, 7(3), 1-8. Retrieved from https://www.longdom.org/abstract/caught-in-the-middle-reasons-for-hindered-growth-among-dairy-groups-of-haa-district-in-western-bhutan-44060.html
Yamane, T. (1973). Statistics: An Introductory Analysis (3rd ed.). New York: Harper and Row.
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How to Cite
WANGMO, Karma et al.
Challenges of Agricultural Farmers’ Groups and Cooperatives in Eastern Bhutan.
Journal of Community Development Research (Humanities and Social Sciences), [S.l.], v. 14, n. 3, p. 31-43, june 2021.
ISSN 2985-0231.
Available at: <https://www.journal.nu.ac.th/JCDR/article/view/Vol-14-No-3-2021-31-43>. Date accessed: 25 apr. 2024.
doi: https://doi.org/10.14456/jcdr-hs.2021.24.