Local community perspective about challenges affecting farmer organizations. Case of selected socioeconomic characteristics of members in fish farmer organizations in central Malawi

This study examines challenges affecting fish farmer organizations in relation to socioeconomic characteristics of members within farmer organizations. The objective of the study was to determine perceptions of members with varying socioeconomic characteristics about challenges affecting fish farmer organizations. Data collection comprised face to face interviews and focus group discussions with members of the farmer groups. In addition, key informant interviews with leaders of farmer groups and extension workers were conducted during the study. Data were analysed using content analysis, critical discourse analysis and descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics comprised Chi-square (X2) test, means and percentages. Results show that the challenges facing fish farmer organizations affected the members differently, with some of them showing significant differences (P<0.05) according to the varied socioeconomic characteristics. In a few instances though, all members appeared to be affected by the challenges despite their varying income levels. Another study with a larger sample of farmers and farmer organizations should be carried out as a follow-up to this study.