Kanyi Christopher Munene*, Fredrick Muchoki Mwangi and Martin Duke Moindi
The study’s objectives were to trace the origin and development of the cooperative movement in Mwea irrigation scheme and to investigate the role of the cooperative movement in rice production in Mwea irrigation scheme from 1964 to 2009. The study was a descriptive survey that used primary and secondary sources of data. Respondents were purposively sampled and snowballing was used to link the researchers to other knowledgeable respondents. Respondents were interviewed orally. The data collected was analyzed and classified thematically based on the objectives of the study. The study found out that the cooperative movement in Mwea irrigation scheme began in 1964 as an initiative of rice farmers in the scheme. Although the movement lobbied for the rights of the rice farmers in the scheme, government interference made its advocacy activities unsuccessful between 1964 and l998. The movement enabled rice farmers buy shares in Mwea rice mills limited, a joint venture between rice farmers in the scheme and the government of Kenya. After liberalization of rice production in 1999, the cooperative movement took over most of the activities carried out by the national irrigation board since the board was no longer in charge or rice production in the scheme from 1999. The efficiency and effectiveness of the cooperative movement in provision of services to rice farmers was one of the reasons that led to an increase in rice acreage, amount and higher profits among farmers in the scheme from 1999. The cooperative movement therefore had a positive impact on rice production in the scheme after 1999. More rice farmers therefore need to be encouraged to join the cooperative movement. The cooperative movement in Mwea irrigation scheme needs to diversify its activities in order to bring on board more people into it and not just rice farmers.
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