Abstract

A. D. Bekele and G. B. Pillai

Cooperative education and training are the most significant pillars of a strong and self-reliant co-operative movement. Realizing the importance of the Co-operative education and training needs, this research paper attempted to determine the training needs of members with the specific objectives of determining their level of awareness, to identify their training needs, to examine the association between training needs and sociopsychological characteristics, and to ascertain the constraints faced in cooperative dairy marketing by members in Arsi Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. This study adopted survey method. Three-stage sampling was used in which random sampling procedures were followed to select 176 respondents from the population. Structured interview schedule and FGD (Focus group discussion) were used to collect the data from the sampled respondents. The data were analyzed through descriptive statistical tools, X2- test, Cramer’s V, Person’s correlation coefficient, and multiple linear regression. In addition, awareness levels of stakeholders were evaluated by means of awareness index. Training need of members and officials were identified using TNS and prioritized via TNI. The constraints in dairy marketing were ranked using preference index. According to the results of the study, awareness index indicates that the majority of members (55.7%) have low level of awareness in dairy marketing. Due to the presence of many development interventionists, only 24.4% of the members perceived high level of training need, while 46% of the members had perceived medium level of training need in dairy marketing. The research findings highlighted that there is demand for upgrading the awareness of members in dairy marketing as well as organization of effective training programs to the needy group. The preference of members regarding type, method, duration, season, frequency, place, and language of training was:- peripatetic, group discussion, three to six days, winter, once in a year, FTC’s and Afaan Oromoo respectively. About 50 to 75% of the training was perceived to be more practical as vital part in the training program. As per the model analysis output, indebtedness and economic motivation positively influenced the perception of members’ training need; whereas, knowledge and training undergone in dairy marketing was found to negatively influence training needs at 1% level of significance. Irregular supply of milk, long fasting days, lack of transport facilities, absence of training, lack of credit access from the dairy coops(co- operatives) were found to be the basic constraints in dairy marketing among members. The findings suggest that co-operative policy makers and practitioners should stress in the adoption of participatory co-operative training approach and it should be implemented to increase the motivation, sense of ownership and shared responsibility among all co-operative stakeholders.