Management performance of farmers groups and its impact on membership: A prerequisite for group sustainability in Trinidad

The Government of Trinidad has implemented plans to promote the establishment of new farmers’ groups and also strengthen existing groups. It is expected that extension officers will work more with farmers in groups to increase extension-to-farmer interactions. Groups however, have not been sustainable in Trinidad. The study examined group members’ perceptions of how management functions are performed, and how such performance is related to their satisfaction with being a member of the group. A convenient sample of 150 farmers from 87 farmers’ groups across the country was surveyed using a structured instrument.  Calculated means show farmers perceived the planning, organizing and leading management functions were moderately performed, with the controlling function being even lower. A one-way within-subjects ANOVA model showed there was a statistically significant difference in mean perceived performance in functions of management. OLS results showed statistically significant and positive correlations between members’ perception of groups’ organizing, leading and control activities, and their satisfaction with membership in the group (R2= .55). The major implication is that if basic management functions of groups are not strengthened then the sustainability of groups and thus government’s food security objectives would be at risk.   Key words: Management functions, farmers’ groups, performance, membership satisfaction, Trinidad.