Contents
Preface
I. Introduction
II.
Need of Agricultural Co-operation
III.
Principles of Co-operatives
IV.
Aims & Objectives of Co-operatives
V.
Education in the Co-operative Movement
VI.
Achievement of Co-operative Movement
VII.
Weakness of Co-operative Movement
Preface
Co-operation, probably, is the only effective way for the farmers to get out of the exploitative situation in every sphere of his activities, from obtaining the inputs to disposing his produce. But the success of co-operation among farmers depends on the knowledge and practice of its basic principles. This booklet describes these basic principles. This booklet is mainly prepared for the social activists working for the socio-economic development of the rural poor farming class: scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and women..
Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education
I. Introduction
Co-operation is derived from the Latin word 'Co-operation'. 'Co' means with, and operari means "to work". In other words co-operation means to work together. In a general and broader sense, co-operation means living, thinking and working together. It can be defined as the system of people voluntarily working together, or in terms of equality, to eliminate their economic exploitation (such as that of farmers by land lords, money lenders or merchants). Ultimately the practice of principle of co-operation contributes to the development of human race. Co-operation is a joint or collective action of people directed towards some specified goal in which there is common interest or hope of getting some reward. A simple example can be that of a team of cricketers or football players, where the members play the game collectively in order to achieve its purpose.
II. Need of Agricultural Co-operation
Co-operation has shown its effectiveness in various field like removal of poverty by reducing indebtedness of its members, lowering interest rate, consolidation of holdings, increasing productiveness and thrift. subsidizing the price of essential commodities for members, provision and disposal of their produce and ultimately raise the standard of living.
A farmer is exploited in every sphere of his activities starting from obtaining the agricultural inputs till disposing his produce. The reason can be traced to their ignorance and lack of organization, leading them to indebtedness. This economic poverty of the farmer will also lead to the low standard of living and disintegration of the entire community. In this context agricultural cooperation plays an important role in the overall development of the community through farmers co-operative movements which helps the farmer in the following:
-to get credit at cheaper rate;
-to get better varieties of seeds;
-to obtain fertilizers and manures in time;
-to irrigate his land efficiently;
-to protect his crop from diseases, pests & insects;
-to insure his crop from natural calamities;
-to store and process his produce;
-to market the produce for better economic returns;
-to save money and deposit in banks; and
-to purchase consumer goods like food, clothing and
other family supplies at cheaper rate.
It
is possible for a group of farmers to pool their land, labour,
implements and livestock and carryon the whole business of agricultural
production on the basis of a joint ownership and management.
Cooperatives can also per- form a valuable service by making
available selected seeds, fertilizers, feed stuff, implements,
fencing and building materials and veterinary medicines to the
farmer at reasonable rates.
Co-operative organizations have taken charge of the marketing
of farm produce; selling, collecting, weighing, grading, storing
and often processing commodities into more acceptable and valuable
form.
Besides these benefits, co-operatives provide basic training and education
in improving the cultivation, in democratic procedures and in
leadership. Co-operatives provide the organization at the community
level through which various kinds of government assistance or
financing can be channeled. Co-operatives can also act as a
link between people and government in the framing of suitable
government policy.
