Members and consumer’ satisfaction with agricultural cooperatives: Case of Gum Arabic Producers Associations (GAPAs) in the Central gum Arabic Belt, Sudan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the satisfaction of members, traders and gum Arabic processing companies with Gum Arabic Producers’ Associations (GAPAs). The study was conducted in 14 GAPAs in Shiekan and Umrawaba Localities in North Kordofan State and Alkhowi Locality in West Kordofan State, Sudan. In total 338 members was selected using random sampling method. In Umrawaba Locality, however, the selection was made using purposive sampling technique to examine the role of external intervention. Primary and secondary data were collected from GAPAs using a combination of sources included social survey, executive committees’ interviews, key informants interviews, group discussion, various desk documents and scientific publications. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive analysis with the aid of SPPS. The results revealed that members’ dependency on GAPAs for marketing their gum Arabic is very low and this was attributed to the failure of GAPAs to provide services and benefits to their members due to the lack of external interventions that can support GAPAs. Traders and gum Arabic processing companies’ satisfaction was generally high. The findings indicated that performance of GAPAs in the study area was not improved since their establishment. The study recommended capacity building to raise the awareness of members and the Board of Directors in order to develop well-functioning organizational institutions.