Persectives on Agricultural Cooperatives and Food (in) Security in the Kaabong District Karamoja Sub-Region, Uganda

Abstract

Agricultural cooperatives play a pivotal role in enhancing food security mostly for a Low-Income Country like Uganda where the central government is already constrained in its social service providence role. How agricultural cooperatives in Kaabong district, Karamoja region, North Eastern Uganda, affect food security is unknown. The study’s main objectives were to examine the determinants of success and sustainability in agricultural cooperatives and to assess the challenges hindering agricultural cooperatives from achieving food security in Kaabong district, Karamoja sub region, Uganda. This study was undertaken as desk research. On determinants of success and sustainability, the study found diversification of production, strong and active membership, role of cooperative leadership and management in the union, and adequate working capital. Insufficient funds and resources, insufficient education and limitations in human resources, inadequate understanding of cooperative management in agriculture, absence of constructive government assistance, and inadequate mechanisms for managing information were the challenges hindering agricultural cooperatives from achieving food security. Agricultural cooperatives positively impact food security in all its pathways of availability, accessibility, utilization, and stability. However, there is a need for government support regarding policy framework, and implementation. The study recommends the government’s adoption of a more aggressive stance towards agricultural cooperative development, a favourable policy environment and operationalisation of the tripartite system.