Empowering 150 Women: New Cooperative Launches in Odeda

In a significant milestone for women's economic empowerment in rural Ogun State, GAIN Nigeria Rural officially launched the Odeda Women Farmers Cooperative on August 10, 2024. The cooperative brings together 150 women farmers from 12 communities across Odeda Local Government Area, creating a powerful platform for collective action and shared prosperity.

A Vision Realized

The cooperative is the culmination of 18 months of planning, training, and community mobilization. "We knew that individual women farmers faced enormous challenges accessing credit, negotiating fair prices, and reaching profitable markets," explains Tosin Ajala, Senior Programs Officer at GAIN Nigeria Rural. "By organizing collectively, these women can overcome barriers that seemed insurmountable alone."

The cooperative's structure includes an elected executive committee, a credit and savings scheme, and specialized working groups focused on production, marketing, and value addition. Members have already contributed initial share capital totaling ₦2.4 million, demonstrating their commitment and investment in the cooperative's success.

Access to Credit: Breaking the Cycle

One of the cooperative's primary functions is providing members with access to affordable credit. Traditional lending institutions often view smallholder farmers, especially women, as high-risk borrowers, charging exorbitant interest rates or refusing loans altogether.

Through the cooperative's revolving loan fund, seeded with support from GAIN and member contributions, women can now access loans at 5% monthly interest, significantly lower than the 15 to 20% rates charged by informal lenders. These loans can be used for purchasing inputs, hiring labor, or investing in processing equipment.

"Before the cooperative, I had to borrow from money lenders at terrible rates," says Aminat Ogunleye, a cassava farmer from Obantoko community. "Last season, I paid more in interest than I earned from my harvest. Now, with the cooperative loan, I can actually make a profit."

Collective Marketing Power

The cooperative has already negotiated bulk purchasing agreements with three major cassava processing companies in Abeokuta. By aggregating members' produce, the cooperative can guarantee consistent supply and negotiate prices 20 to 30% higher than individual farmers typically receive.

"When I sold my cassava alone, buyers would offer whatever price they wanted," explains Kehinde Adebayo, the cooperative's marketing chairperson. "I had no choice but to accept because my cassava would spoil if I waited. Now, we negotiate as a group, and we get fair prices because we can guarantee large volumes."

The cooperative has also established a collection and bulking center in Ilupeju, reducing transportation costs for members and ensuring produce reaches processors in optimal condition.

Value Addition Training

Beyond production and marketing, the cooperative is investing in value addition to increase members' incomes. GAIN has provided training in cassava processing, teaching women to produce high-quality cassava flour, starch, and chips.

A processing facility, currently under construction with support from GAIN and the Ogun State Ministry of Agriculture, will allow members to process their cassava locally rather than selling raw tubers. Processed products command significantly higher prices and have longer shelf lives, reducing post-harvest losses.

"We're not just farmers anymore," says cooperative president Folake Adeyemi. "We're becoming processors and businesswomen. The skills we're learning will transform our families' futures."

Nutrition and Food Security

The cooperative also serves as a platform for nutrition education. Monthly meetings include sessions on preparing nutritious meals from locally available foods, with special emphasis on maternal and child nutrition.

Members learn to diversify their farms beyond cassava, incorporating vegetables, legumes, and other nutrient-rich crops. This diversification improves household nutrition while providing additional income streams.

Challenges and Future Plans

Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain. Transportation to markets continues to be difficult, especially during the rainy season when roads become impassable. The cooperative is exploring options for acquiring a shared vehicle to address this issue.

Access to improved seeds and other inputs remains inconsistent. The cooperative is working to establish direct relationships with seed companies and input suppliers to ensure members can access quality materials at reasonable prices.

Looking ahead, the cooperative plans to expand membership to 250 women by the end of 2026. There are also discussions about establishing satellite cooperatives in neighboring local government areas, creating a network of women farmers across Ogun State.

A Model for Replication

The success of the Odeda Women Farmers Cooperative has attracted attention from development organizations and government agencies across Nigeria. Representatives from three other states have visited to learn from the model, with plans to replicate it in their regions.

"What we're building here is more than a cooperative," reflects Tosin Ajala. "We're creating a movement of empowered women who are transforming their communities. When women thrive, entire communities benefit. Children are better nourished, households are more food secure, and local economies grow stronger."

As the cooperative members gather for their monthly meeting, singing traditional songs and sharing updates on their farms, the energy is palpable. These women are not just growing cassava and yam. They are cultivating hope, dignity, and a better future for rural Nigeria.

For more information about joining the Odeda Women Farmers Cooperative or starting a similar initiative in your community, contact GAIN Nigeria Rural at +234 913 922 0880.