article · Asian Journal of Agricultural and Horticultural Research
Cocoa farmer organisations are often encouraged to boost smallholder welfare, yet empirical evidence from Cameroon has been limited. A comparative survey of 396 cocoa farmers in Fako Division evaluated livelihood outcomes between 252 organisation members and 144 non-members. Livelihoods were evaluated through a composite index covering six key areas: income security, human capital, social capital, physical capital, natural capital, and resilience capacity. Members scored significantly higher overall than non-members, demonstrating notable advantages in social capital, income security, and resilience. Members also maintained larger farms, achieved higher cocoa yields, had better credit access, and were situated closer to markets. Because membership is voluntary and baseline farmer characteristics varied, these findings show a strong correlation rather than direct causation. Recommended steps include improving organisation governance and extending valuable services to non-members.
Understanding the practical benefits of farmer organisations helps development agencies and policymakers design effective rural support schemes. Demonstrating measurable links between group membership, higher cocoa yields, and better income security highlights the potential value of collective action, while also pinpointing the need to support non-members who lack similar resources and market access.
The abstract does not present a direct technology or commercial product for market transfer. Instead, the empirical findings provide applied evidence for agricultural cooperatives, rural microfinance providers, and development programmes seeking to optimise cocoa supply chains. These organisations can use the insights to design targeted membership models and service delivery schemes, though the research remains at an observational, policy-oriented stage rather than near commercial deployment.
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Farmer organisations are widely promoted as institutional mechanisms for improving smallholder welfare, although evidence concerning their association with multidimensional livelihood outcomes among cocoa farmers in Cameroon remains limited. This study compared members and non-members of cocoa farmer organisations in Fako Division, South-West Region, Cameroon. Cross-sectional survey data were collected from 396 cocoa farmers, comprising 252 members and 144 non-members. Livelihood outcomes were assessed using a composite Sustainable Livelihood Outcomes Index covering income security, human capital, social capital, physical capital, natural capital, and resilience capacity. Independent-samples t-tests and effect-size estimates were used to compare the two groups. Members recorded a higher mean overall index score than non-members (0.71 versus 0.56), with a mean difference of 0.15, t(394) = 10.82, p < 0.001, and Cohen’s d = 1.13. Statistically significant differences were observed across all six dimensions, with the largest standardised differences in social capital, income security, and resilience capacity. Members also reported more farming experience, larger farms, higher cocoa yields, shorter distances to markets, and greater access to credit. However, these baseline differences and the voluntary nature of membership limit causal interpretation. The findings indicate a strong association between farmer organisation membership and improved livelihood outcomes. Strengthening organisational governance, extending services to underserved non-members, and applying longitudinal or quasi-experimental designs are recommended.
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DOI: 10.9734/ajahr/2026/v13i3499
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