Msebeni, Wivina Byera

The study aims at examining the effect of contextual developments on agricultural marketing cooperatives over the past 30 years in the Southern Slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. It explores on what factors have driven changes in the agricultural cooperatives and how these drivers have affected the operation of these cooperatives. Using economic theories of Institutional change, the study looks at the effect of factor prices, interrelated institutional options, mental models and governance technologies on the internal rules of the agricultural cooperatives. To analyze the changes in internal rules in the cooperatives the study uses the seven-rule typology as an analytical tool from the Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework by Ostrom. Through a qualitative approach including in-depth interviews with cooperative leaders, managers, officers and other relevant social groups the study highlights key factors such changes in policies, product prices and market access that have shaped cooperative dynamics. Cooperatives have reacted to contextual changes through adaptive measures such as formation of new cooperative umbrella organizations, seeking international markets on their own and introduction of new marketing systems to address financial challenges. The study underscores the importance of adaptive strategies and collaborative governance to strengthen the role of agricultural cooperatives in promoting sustainable development in the region.