RUAHA CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY

The history of coffee cooperatives in Tanzania reflects broader transformations associated with state-led socialist policies, institutional disruption, and market liberalization. This paper examines the historical evolution, institutional disruption, and prospects for revival of coffee cooperatives in Mwanga District, Kilimanjaro Region. It focuses on the pre-1976 cooperative system, the abolition of cooperatives in 1976, their reintroduction in 1984, and liberalization reforms of the 1990s. Drawing on Emmanuel’s Unequal Exchange Theory and a socialism–neoliberalism perspective, the study examines how institutional changes and wider coffee-market structures shaped the position of smallholder producers. The study employs historical qualitative analysis of archival records, oral testimonies, secondary literature, and contemporary policy discussions. Archival evidence was consulted at the Tanzania National Archives and Dodoma National Records Centre. Oral evidence comprised ten interviews with cooperative and agricultural actors and a focus group discussion involving six farmers. The analysis combines chronological reconstruction, thematic analysis, source criticism, and triangulation. The paper argues that cooperative revival requires accountable governance, meaningful member participation, financial and managerial capacity, improved market information, stronger bargaining power, and greater participation in value-adding activities. It concludes that historically informed cooperative reform can strengthen smallholder producers’ position and contribute to inclusive rural transformation in Mwanga District.

Cooperatives, liberalization, unequal exchange, agricultural history, rural transformation