POVERTY STATUS AND INCOME INEQUALITY AMONG COOPERATIVE AND NON-COOPERATIVE COCOA FARMING HOUSEHOLDS IN EDO STATE, NIGERIA

This study investigated the poverty status and income inequality among cooperative and non-cooperative cocoa farming households in Edo State, Nigeria. Cocoa production remains a major livelihood activity in rural communities, yet farmers continue to experience persistent poverty due to structural, financial, and agronomic challenges. The study specifically examined the socio-economic characteristics of cocoa farmers, identified services provided by cooperatives, assessed poverty levels using the Foster–Greer–Thorbecke (FGT) poverty indices, analysed determinants of poverty through logistic regression, and identified major constraints affecting cocoa production. A multistage sampling procedure was used to select 106 respondents, consisting of 54 cooperative members and 52 non- members. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed with descriptive statistics, FGT measures, and logistic regression models. Findings revealed that cocoa farming in the study area is dominated by middle- aged and elderly males with moderate levels of education and household sizes. Cooperatives provided key services such as credit, agro-chemicals, improved seedlings, marketing support, and discounted inputs. Surprisingly, poverty incidence was higher among cooperative households (P₀ = 0.407) than among non cooperative households (P₀ = 0.288). Poverty depth and severity followed the same trend, indicating that cooperative members were more deeply affected by poverty