Comparative analysis of member benefits in the specialty coffee cooperative and the conventional coffee cooperative : a case study in Shan State, Myanmar : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Agribusiness at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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2024
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Massey University
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Abstract
Cooperatives play a significant role in enhancing smallholder farmers’ access to markets, increasing their income, and mitigating rural poverty. In Myanmar, agricultural cooperatives are seen as key to improving the socio-economic conditions of smallholder farmers, particularly in rural areas where agriculture is the primary livelihood. Although Shan State, holds significant potential for quality coffee production, many coffee farmers in the region face challenges in producing high-quality coffee and accessing profitable markets. Thus, this study focuses on comparing the member benefits of the specialty coffee cooperative and the conventional coffee cooperative in Shan State, examining their impact on the livelihoods of smallholder coffee farmers. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed, and data was collected through online Zoom interviews, using the convenience sampling method. The interviews were conducted with 18 cooperative members and 5 cooperative leaders and data were analyzed using qualitative methods. The study examined multiple dimensions of member benefits, including economic gains, social support, market access, quality control, and community development. The results revealed that the specialty coffee cooperative, managed by a professional team, enables access to international markets, offering higher prices for higher quality specialty coffee. In contrast, the conventional coffee cooperative, with lack of professional team, primarily caters to neighboring markets with lower quality standards. While the specialty coffee cooperative provides significant marketing, financial, and environmental benefits, the conventional coffee cooperative focuses on meeting immediate needs, such as providing low-cost agricultural inputs and services, but struggles with long-term sustainability and significant economic gains for its members. The results of this study are specific to the context of Shan State region and may not be generalizable to other areas. However, they may offer some important implications. While cooperatives themselves should aim for professional management and targeted training to the needs of members to maximize long-term sustainability and benefits for their members, policymakers should focus on creating a supportive environment for cooperatives by improving infrastructure and providing access to affordable credit and market information.
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coffee cooperatives, the specialty coffee cooperative, the conventional coffee cooperative, member benefits, Shan State, Myanmar