GEITA, May 30 -- THE cooperative sector in Geita Region has developed into one of the most important pillars of agricultural and rural economic organisation, bringing together thousands of farmers, traders and small-scale producers under structured associations.

The region currently hosts 629 cooperative societies with an estimated 50,088 registered members. Of these members, 36,194 are men and 13,894 are women, reflecting both the scale of participation and the continuing gender imbalance in formal cooperative membership.

Beyond registered members, cooperatives in Geita indirectly support more than 35,519 additional farmers who are not formal members but rely on cooperative services. These services include access to agricultural inputs...