Analysis of the socio-economic viability of the union of agricultural groups of soumbalako “ugas” Tolo-mamou –Guinea

Analysis of the socio-economic viability of the union of agricultural groups of soumbalako “ugas” Tolo-mamou –Guinea

Oumou Koultoumy BARRY ^1*, Ibrahima BARRY ², Abdoulaye Djibril DIALLO ³, Sara Bailo Diallo ⁴^{1, 2, 3, 4}Institute Superior Agronomic and Veterinarian of Faranah (Republic of Guinea)

Received Date: October 18, 2023; Accepted Date: October 31, 2023; Published Date: January 28, 2024
^*Corresponding author: Oumou Koultoumy BARRY, Institute Superior Agronomic and Veterinarian of Faranah (Republic of Guinea); Email: directiongenerale@isav.edu.gn , okbarry1988@gmail.com

Citation: Barry OK, Barry I, Diallo AD, Diallo SB; Analysis of the socio-economic viability of the union of agricultural groups of soumbalako “ugas” Tolo-mamou –Guinea. Adv Agri Horti and Ento: AAHE-194

DOI: 10.37722/AAHAE.2024102

Abstract
With the aim of analyzing the socio- economic viability of the Union of Groups Farmers of Soumbalako, research work was carried out carried out in Tolo, Dounet, and in the Urban Commune of Mamou with producers from the 20 groups that make up the Union from January to March 2018. The objective was to achieve a participatory analysis of the socio- economic viability of UGAS. Four types of survey sheets have summer developed and completed. At the end of the investigations, we are arrived at the results following: on the economic level, the union operates on the basis of contributions, subsidies and the sale of products agricultural. Potato cultivation brought in the biggest profit (52,950,000 GNF) and operating expenses have summer supported by the union, the State and donors. This study allowed UGAS _ to identify its weaknesses and threats, its strengths and its opportunities . 31 parameters, including 22 viable and 9 non- viable, with a viability rate of 70%, and solution approaches were proposed. Finally, we recommend improving the management of accounting files, data statistics, social cohesion, transformation, market study, for a best sustainability of the UGAS.

Keywords: Union, groups, producers, analysis, socio-economic, viability, Mamou.

Preamble
In Guinea , the development of sectors agricultural East strongly hindered by a set of factors, including an institutional and regulatory framework deficient , absence of control services state effective , the absence of basic and financial institutions in rural areas . . It is in this difficult context that producer organizations farmers (OPA) are trying to mobilize to offer services to their members and defend their interests .

WEIGEL (1982) stated that the current diversity of groups is part of a larger process of social change. The management of new activities is a necessity born in the context of a deep agricultural and social crisis whose roots, as economic history shows, go back decades. CROZIER and FRIEDBERG (1977) assert that a group, as a system of action, is controlled by a certain number of explicit or implicit rules which ensure its stability and functionality. What must be determined are the rules, the game mechanics which integrate the “strategic” calculations of the players.

RONDOT and MARIE (2001) suggest that some groups dynamic have restored THE principles of field collective . Her objective implicit is no longer of generate And of participate self -financing, but of become A place where we can to set down of the existential acts , where we can express concretely his support for of the groups And of the projects which are a contribution symbolic . Of a certain manner . Of even , for THE activities of production Who require organization _ collectively , NGOs have _ tendency to favor the culture collective , believing that it can simplify there management , promote there solidarity and technical learning . THE groupings have tendency to fragment _ For of the objective reasons such that there management of work And there remuneration of the efforts of each. MERCOIRET (2006) states that THE 1990s have _ brand A turning important For THE peasant organizations in Africa, with an organizational dynamic taking of the features widely without previous In there mostly of the country . First , we observe that local associations _ bloom with there proliferation fast of groups and associations of more in more organized at the level villagers .

THE authors go on to assert that a recent quantitative survey on A big sample carried out in Senegal by From Janvry and S a Doulet (2004) confirmed the extent of there dynamic of micro-local correlation . [(250 villages ) and Arcand, Burkina Faso, (2004). (281 villages ): 65% of villages surveyed in Senegal and 91% of villages surveyed in Burkina Faso have at least A group ; there proportion average of the surveyed households affiliated to at least A band East of close 67 % in Senegal and 91 % in Burkina Faso Nafaso East at 62%. The authors add that THE data regional authorities of other French-speaking African countries are putting in evidence of the developments similar : thus , in THE departments of Zu And Collin in Benin , _ number of villages East pass from 52 to 578 between 1987 and 2001; This number has summer estimated to 250 in 2001 and did not exist has there END of the 1980s .

In 2007, Guinea adopted a national agricultural development policy with a vision of 2015 (PNDA) aimed at supporting the development of the agricultural sector.

This desire was confirmed in the National Investment Plan in Agriculture and Food Security (PNISA) of 2012 .

The development of Guinea's agricultural sector has been hampered by weak public services, institutional and macroeconomic framework constraints, as well as the lack of adequate infrastructure and formal private sector to support economic growth and modernization of rural areas. This situation has pushed the Organization of Agricultural Producers (OPA) of Guinea to concentrate its efforts to better respond to the difficulties affecting the agricultural sector.

BEAUDOUX and FORGET (1992) specify that from a study led in Republic from Guinea, a list non exh a ustive has been carried out For put in evidence THE different functions performed by THE peasant organizations ( knowing that the same organization can fill several functions),

Management land : in particular In THE areas of conservation water and _ of agricultural development.
Environmental management (management space, management of the territory),
Management of the equipment ( pulverizer , huller),
Production collective ( collective fields ),
Purchasing ( inventory framework _ there request , group purchases , management credit ),
Shared warehouses ( attics seeds , warehouses has grains , etc.),
Work together ( work exchange group ),
Financing (systems of credit combined with other activities , institutions specialized In THE credit , etc.),
Marketing,
Advice to producers ( advice techniques , experiments, etc.),
Representatives producers

In Guinea , four regions agro-ecological systems stand out . Lower Guinea ( Maritime Guinea) to the west , Guinea forest in the south-east , Guinea medium (Fouta Djallon) in the north- central and Upper Guinea in the northeast . Each region is characterized by its social structure, its agricultural production systems , as well as sectors agricultural products that emerge and develop at different maturity stages _ in depending on local opportunities and dynamics.

The producer organizations were established under the Policy 2000 for the promotion and development of the united cooperative movement. They are supported by various rural development agencies (NGOs, groups, alliances, federations). These organizations carry out rice, potato, corn and vegetable production activities. These producer organizations bring economic benefits to stakeholders and strengthen regional integration.

Indeed, these structures occupy an important place in the national economy because they make the following contributions: Promotion of youth employment; Strengthening food production; Improved agricultural income and standard of living.

The UGAS created on January 2, 1995 is not outside of this contribution, yet since its creation, no investigation has been carried out within it within the framework of its socio-economic viability. But such research was carried out in Chad by Wanda (2014). It is in this spirit that we have chosen and treated this subject.We carried out surveys in order to diagnose and analyze the constraints linked to the operation of the UGAS, to identify the needs of producers, to evaluate the socio-economic parameters and to propose solution approaches for non-viable parameters. This could contribute to improving the functioning of the Union of Agricultural Groups of Soumbalako (UGAS).

The objective general of our research is to make a participatory analysis of the socio- economic viability of UGAS.

Specifically :

Diagnose and analyze constraints _ linked to the operation of the UGAS;
Evaluate socio - economic parameters and propose solution approaches for unsustainable parameters ;
Identify the needs of producers and define a vision over time;

Materials And Methods
Material
Presentation of the research framework

The research was carried out in the Rural Commune of Tolo ( UGAS headquarters ), the Rural Commune (CR) of Dounet and the Urban Commune ( CU) of Mamou. In this part , the details on the material will only concern the Tolo CR . This is due to the fact that the three municipalities are in the same ecological conditions and practice the same activities.

Brief presentation of Tolo :

The inhabitants of Tolo were the diallonkés , and finally the Fulani. Nevertheless, due to the creation of the School of Agriculture and Livestock (ENAE) and the traditional chiefdom of many Malinkés, Kissiens and Soussous took up residence in Tolo . Tolo CR is located between 9°54' and 11°10' north latitude and between 11°25' and 12°26' west longitude. It has a total population of 8,718 inhabitants, including 4,711 women in 2014, i.e. a density of 53 inhabitants per km 2 unevenly distributed in 4 districts and 14 sectors which make up the sub-prefecture of Tolo .

He is located in the northeast of Mamou prefecture, 23 km from the city center and covers a area of 150 km 2, it is limited:

Í norðri með CR Porédaka;
to the south by the urban commune of Mamou
To the east by the CR de Dounet and
To the west by the CR de Boulliwel

Precipitation _ annual are 1500 to 2000 mm with heavy rains from July to September .

Overall , the physical conditions (soils, subsoils, relief , climate , vegetation and hydrography ) are suitable for habitat human and various socio- economic activities . Populations of the study area practice mainly activities _ agro -pastoral, para- agricultural and commercial , including agriculture is the main activity economic based mainly on food crops ( rice, fonio , corn ), oilseeds ( peanuts ), tubers (cassava, potatoes, taro). In the great plains, complementary foods are produced such as: potatoes, onions, lettuce, eggplant, peppers, okra, fruit plants are quite numerous.

As for breeding, it is extensive and the care given to livestock is limited, it is essentially family- run, cattle, goat, sheep and poultry breeding is practiced there. The majority of the herd is free All year round, except during the growing season.

Presentation of UGAS

Decision No. 15 / RAM / CAB / SERACO / 2015 is the law renewing the approval of the Union of Agricultural Groups of Soumbalako 'UGAS' of April 16, 2015, which in 2018 had 70 groups, 3213 members including 1332 women.

Methods
We have used of the data preliminaries at the level of UGAS, carried out a review documentary, consulted Internet And THE staff resource , and Finally We we collected all THE information with technical services including Agency National Rural and Agricultural Promotion (ANPROCA), Prefectural Directorate of Agriculture (DPA), Service national of the statistics agricultural (SNSA), Organizations No government (NGO), Organization of the Nations United for Food and Agriculture (FAO), Program national support for stakeholders of the projects of development of sector agricultural (PNAAFA) help has analyze the socio-economic feasibility of UGAS. There population target of this study understand the heads of group , the leaders union leaders , _ _ family And THE leaders local of Tolo , Dunn and _ _ municipalities urban areas of Mamou. To achieve the set objectives, the approach adopted was documentary research, the tools used were there Method of Participation Accelerated has there Search (MARP), forms. Four types of questionnaires have summer developed, in particular: a quiz intended for leader’s unions; A form For THE chief of group; A form for households; And A guide maintenance For THE agents administrative For collect of the information on the land. A sample representative has summer drawn randomly has leave of there base of data provided by UGAS . THE draw _ _ is carried out has two levels : ( i ) group and (ii) beneficiary . Thus , 25 groups have summer selected , 20 to Soumbalako and 5 at level of the municipalities urban , retaining at least 5 producers In each group , i.e. 125 producers interviewed during of this study .

Investigation has summer led by of the agents of connection unions And eight leaders local ( CR/CU mayors , governors assistants And presidents regional ). After the investigation , the forms collected have summer revised For to correct THE inconsistencies And facilitate there seizure of the data quantitative and qualitative . The sorting plan made it possible to identify THE values aberrant And THE correct . Analysis of the data its concentrated on THE statistics descriptive ( means , percentages And counts ). There conduct of this participatory analysis is organized around of the four stages following:

Diagnostic phase;
Preparatory phase of the analysis ;
Analysis phase ;
Evaluation phase .
The data have summer analyzed using software _ _ SPSS statistics and sigma plot

Finally, the problems and solutions have been identified. The parameters studied have summer: operating costs, returns, collaboration matrix and viability parameters, strong points, weak points, opportunities and threats, viability rate have been the settings evaluations

The viability rate was _ _ determined by the formula: Kv = A/B .100, where Kv: viability rate; HAS: Number of parameters viable; B: Total number of parameters supported account according to WANDA (2014) .

For scale viability assessment , we have used Table I.

Table I: Viability scale

Category	Coefficient	Appreciation	Characteristic
1	0.1 – 0.20	No	Unsustainable
2	0.21 – 0.49	Weak	Unsustainable
3	0.50 – 0.59	pretty good	Viability average
4	0.60 – 0.79	GOOD	Viable
5	0.80 – 1.00	GOOD	Very viable

Source: LEPAGE (2008)

Results
The results obtained are the following

The urban commune is the most populated (81,268 inhabitants), while the sub-prefecture of Tolo is the least populated (8,718 inhabitants). The female population is larger than the male population in general .
The number of men leaders is higher than that of women in general . We note also that the groups do not have the same year of creation Or membership . The numbers are also different from one group to another .
Potato is the main speculation, followed by eggplant, rice, corn, onion, tomato and pepper in last position.
Yields obtained are close to yields potential: potatoes have the highest yield, followed by tomatoes and eggplants.
The 2018 campaign was carried out from beneficiaries on the basis of their account books of exploitation. Potato cultivation brought in the most (52,950,000 GNF ) .
If we compare total production , corn has the lowest rate , 5.05 %, followed by pepper . We also note that potatoes have the highest rate, 36.62 %, see figure 1 .

Figure 1: Comparison of total production at the level of households surveyed by speculation

Table II: Level of satisfaction of groups with the services offered by the Union:

Service	Satisfaction level ( % )
Service	1	2	NEITHER
Agricultural advice	10.6	89.4
Input feed	21.05	78.94
Campaign credit	26.31	57.89	15.78
Member training	42.10	42.10	15.78
Governance support _	36.84	10.52	52.63
Wicked	27.38	55.77	28.06

Group satisfaction with services offered by the Union, it appears that overall, 55.77% of groups interviewed are very satisfied with the services offered by the Union against 27.38% with one level satisfactory. But efforts must be made by the Union in terms of support for governance , the level of satisfaction of which is below average and efforts are commendable in terms of agricultural advice , almost 90% of respondents are very satisfied .

Analysis in depth of the 31 parameters evaluation taken into account account shows that 22 are viable and 8 are not, among the parameters only one East mixed. The non- viability of certain settings is due to illiteracy and lack of financial means . Settings _ studied are technical, economic, social , administrative and organizational .

The result of the analysis of Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT) of UGAS shows that it is necessary to maintain and strengthen the achievements and transform the weak points in goals in order to face threats, see table III.

Table III: Unsustainable settings and solution approaches

No.	Setting	Appreciation	Approach to the solution
1	Payment of contributions	Weak	Awareness raising; Application of texts; Revise downwards the amounts to be paid;
2	Obtain credit financing agricultural	Few	- Renewal of trust; - Sanction against the bad payers; - Ensure the availability of credits before the implementation implementation of activities;
3	Level education of union members	Weak	- Strengthening training in course; - Creation of new training modules;
4	Land rights	Average	-Respect for texts legal relating to land and state property rights ; - Acquisition of securities land;
5	Union Processing Unit	Lack	- Create processing units;
6	Maintenance of equipment , tools and works of art	Little satisfying	- Repair tools and machines, equipment; - Train technicians; - canal rehabilitation _ irrigation and drainage;
7	Participation of women in decision - making	Weak	- Involve women in all decision - making bodies
8	Soil analysis in laboratory	No Carried out	- Carry out soil analysis to find out their fertility and make contributions in result Before all use;
9	Lack of knowledge of the contents of the management procedures manual by most members	Weak	- Dissemination and compliance with the content of the manual;

Table IV: Viability rate

No.

Number of parameters

Total parameter supported account

Rate %

Viable

Unsustainable

It appears that the viability rate is good (70%). In the calculation , the parameter mixed East considered like a parameter unsustainable. The union must take up all challenges to raise the rate to at least 90% , which will improve considerably its performance.

Analysis
Analysis of socio- economic viability carried out on the Union of Groups Farmers of Soumbalako ''UGAS'' Tolo -Mamou highlights clearly the diagnosis and analysis of constraints linked to the operation of the UGAS and the scale of viability .

Po
ur carrying out research activities, the tools methodological methods of MARP have summer used , which gave us results encouraging on the facts in order to to improve knowledge , and subsequently to resolve UGAS problems .
UGAS has a strong collaboration matrix with institutions, in particular PNAFA and technical development services based in Guinea . GRANDVAL (2013), confirms that the strengthening of OPs allows you to find their institutional position within the territories , particularly vis-à-vis other actors keys such as communities territorial , decentralized State services , microfinance institutions and the sector private . Our results prove the opportunity to strengthen UGAS through formalized collaboration with financing institutions .
Although the charges are huge and that the level education either low , UGAS benefits from it considerable . That East due to the fact that the parameters essential are viable .
Yields _ obtained from the different crops are close to the yields potential .
The viability rate _ obtained by 70% comes from a calculation parameter - based viable and unviable in our investigations against (55%) obtained by WANDA (2014).
Unlike LEPAGE et al (2008) who used the safety margin standardized for viability assessment_ economic , our research was based on the viability rate , strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats and on the Value and Classification Report (VCR) to evaluate UGAS at the socio- economic level linked to the different speculations .
Weak points are inferior to strengths and opportunity exists for sustainable development of UGAS .

Conclusion
At the end of our research, we are arrived at the following conclusions:

In groups studied, there are more women than men, so that there are more men leaders than women in general;
We note that 38% of households surveyed are led by women

Potato is the main speculation of the union;
The union sells nearly 80% of its production (vegetables), 20% of its production (cereals); the rest East intended for seeds and consumption;
Yields obtained from different cultures are close to yields potential;
The potato gave the greatest benefit . Operating costs have was supported by the union, the State and donors;
Most members surveyed are very satisfied with the services offered by the union;
UGAS benefits greatly and in all points of view of the assistance of the PNAAFA while the ANPROCA does not intervene that in training;
Currently , the Union has approximately 2246 ha of which 1644 ha are operated by the Union ;
Parameters _ studied are technical , economic , social , administrative and organizational -The viability rate is good (70%);

At the end of this research we strongly recommend:

An in-depth study of the potato sector given its profitability;
Invest in the processing of agricultural products to adapt to market needs in order to reduce post-harvest losses or save labor;
Improve the collection and monitoring of statistical data on agricultural products and the management of accounting documents
Promote the export of surplus production in the sub-region

Acknowledgments
Hard work , could not be carried out without the support of the people we thank sincerely .

General Management of the Institute Superior Agronomic and Veterinarian of Faranah (ISAV/F) for the technical and financial support of our training and research in order to prepare for the next generation at ISAV /F;
Director and Co- director of the thesis Professor Sara Bailo DIALLO and Dr Ibrahima BARRY from ISAV /F for their support , their availability and their accompaniement when carrying out this research ;
To Mr. Mamadou BALDE, focal point of PNAAFA, of whom I would not know appreciate technical supervision and monitoring regularly in the field throughout the period of my internship.
To my field companions , Mr. Oumar CONDE and Mr. Pathé DIALLO for their help in all the field work, I also say thank you as well to co-author Abdoulaye Djibril DIALLO
I don't have could stop me from thanking sincerely all authorities _ municipal and administrative authorities of Mamou and the members of UGAS for their contribution to the field work.
I take this opportunity to thank all people anonymous who have contributed to the implementation work of this work and which have not been cited here .

Abreviations List
ANPROCA : Agency National Rural Promotion and Agricultural Council CNOPG : Confederation National Organizations _ Peasant women of Guinea CR : Rural Commune
CU : Urban Commune
DPA : Prefectural Directorate of Agriculture
FAO : Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations ENAE : National Higher School of Agriculture and Livestock
SWOT : Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats
GNF : Guinea New Francs
ISAV/ F : Institute Superior Agronomic and Veterinarian of Faranah
MARP : Accelerated Participatory Research Method
NI : Not indicated
NGOs : Non- Governmental Organization
OP : Organization peasant
Takeover bid : Organization Agricultural Professional
PNAAFA : National Support Program for Sector Actors _ Agricultural
PNDA : National Agricultural Development Policy _
PNISA : National Agricultural Investment and Security Plan Eating
RVC : Evaluation and classification report SNSA : National Statistics Service Agricultural T/ ha : Tonne per hectare
UGAS : Union of Groups Farmers of Soumbalako
UPA : Union of producers agricultural

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Some of the field Gallery: