IMPACTS OF SAVING AND CREDIT COOPERATIVES ON HOUSEHOLDS‟ WELLBEING IN GURAGE ZONE, SNNP REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine impacts of saving and credit cooperative societies on household wellbeing in Gurage Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Primary and secondary sources were used. The primary data source was collected through direct interviews based on semi structured questionaries’ from 90 treared and 112 controlled group plus discussion with three informant group and extra with staffs of two unions .The study was used a cross- sectional survey research design, and the multistage sampling techniques was employed. The survey data were analyzed through quantitative method, and used descriptive statistics and inferentially statistics logit and propensity score matching econometrics model.The study finding shows age, education, training, loan, interest rate, income sources are the main factors affecting Saving and credit cooperative membership participation. The impact evaluation finding based on household asset accumulation measurements shows Saving and credit cooperative participants were more own asset than non participants. However, there is no significant difference between income and consumption among membership participants and non participants. Finally, researcher recommend SACCOs should seriously work to develop members entrepreneurial talent and promoting members to investing on off-farm and non farm rather than invest on fixed asset activities to improve household wellbeing.