Abstract - EN
The paper examined Dakkada Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (DMPCS) and Sustainable Development Goals of poverty reduction (SDG1) and hunger (SDG2) in Sub-Saharan rural communities of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. DMPCS has stimulated action to achieve SDGs through promotion of small-scale business development, ease of accessing financial capital, promoting women participation in local economy, employment creation, and expanding social support. Theoretical framework comprised social capital theory, theory of credit rationing and critical minimum effort theory. The paper adopted survey research design. The major instruments of data collection were Focus Group Discussion, Key Informant Interviews and questionnaire. Total number of participants in the study was 378. Qualitative data were audio and visually recorded and analyzed using the Six-Phase framework for doing a thematic analysis. Socio-demographic and quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Key findings revealed that DMPCS has reduced rural poverty; health and education services are affordable, gender gap is bridged to a certain level, more women are economically empowered, rural people’s income has increased; better job security, self- employment, life sustenance and food security have been enhanced. DMPCS has alleviated poverty and reduced hunger by leveraging on vast potentials of agricultural and entrepreneurial sectors. DMPCS should be partnership oriented involving coordinated participation of development partners involved in poverty alleviation programmes.
