International Journal of Contemporary Research in Multidisciplinary

Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate factors affecting the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in Namibia, with the Onghalulu Farmers’ Cooperative being a case study. The study discussed several factors that mainly affect the sustainability of the Namibian agricultural cooperative subsector, including the Onghalulu Farmers’ Cooperative. It further deliberated on the benefits of participating in business cooperative initiatives. Aamong the issues affecting the sustainability of agricultural cooperatives in Namibia are those related to the market, finances, governance, leadership, stakeholder engagement, climate change, compliance, mentorship, and training programs; infrastructure development; adoption of advanced technology; investments in research and development; and other issues. These issues persisted in certain Namibian agricultural cooperatives mainly because of cooperative stakeholders’ unwillingness to embrace change and their lack of dedication to finding solutions. Moreover, certain traditional beliefs obstruct Namibian agricultural cooperatives from becoming commercial enterprises, particularly those in rural regions. As a result, women, youth, and members of marginalized communities are disproportionately underrepresented in the sector. The study used a case study research design and a qualitative research methodology that enabled the researcher to collect primary data from 15 participants using open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. As a result, a purposive sampling method was used to select participants with rich and systematic insights about the study constructs. The study's theoretical framework was guided by collective action and signaling theory, highlighting cooperative principles, environmental sustainability governance (ESG), and economic sustainability performance (ESP). Above and beyond, the study findings revealed that Onghalulu Farmers’ Cooperative practices mixed farming, combining agribusiness with different farming activities. It further demonstrated how various external and internal factors affect Namibia's agricultural cooperative's survival capacity. In contrast, effectively managed agricultural cooperatives raise the standard of living for their members and considerably contribute to the cooperative's sustainable growth. The study provided some practical recommendations to minimize various impediments and improve the sustainability of Namibian agricultural cooperatives. Therefore, its findings are supplementary to the existing body of knowledge regarding agricultural cooperatives and offer cooperative stakeholders vital information about how to enhance the sustainability and resilience of agricultural cooperatives in Namibia.

Keywords:

Agricultural cooperative, Onghalulu Farmers, stakeholders, Namibia, Cooperative Alliance

Aim/Objectives

Methods