Empowering the Voiceless: Time to Take Sides to Make a Difference to Millions in the Third Millennium through Rural Coops.
Abstract:
There is a need for a holistic approach with location specific and realism based safeguards to insulate the coops from the reckless politicians who run amuck in the cooperative arena. Self Help Groups (SHGs), Neighbourhood Help Groups (NHGs) Grameen Banks (Village level banks), Anand Pattern Coops and the like are the institutional innovations posing as inspiration cum challenges in the revival of rural coops. In fact, the money lender efficiency coupled with the Grameen Bank transparency, Self Help Group cohesion and warmth as well as the Anand Pattern sincerity is the key word in the revamping of any rural coops worth its name in the third millennium. This will, among others, ensure peoples’ participation as the institution is working with them and not merely for them alone. What is required is a detailed diagnostic empirical study on the lessons learned and to spell out the challenges faced by the rural coops in the third millennium. Accordingly a field work was conducted in the state of Kerala in India, spread over two districts. In both the study areas there was a preponderance of respondents with primary education. Both areas had opined that the office bearers of coops should be honest to the core. It was uniformly suggested to elect only actual stake holders as office bearers of coops. Elections must be both fair and democratic. The moot question was as how to persuade honest people of standing in the rural areas to lead village coops. In the same way all respondents had demanded the summary dismissal of corrupt and stained office bearers and members from coop fold. Mandatory social auditing may be introduced in coops. In the new millennium, rural coops must have a new image, message and delivery pattern to make it vibrant, result oriented and member friendly as well as society oriented. As a balancing act, rural coops among others may think of embracing the domain of micro finance effectively and efficiently. In order to render rural coops efficient and to reach out to the grass roots at least cost, deliberate and conscious, efforts are required to make coops tied up with Self Help Groups and institutions like India Post in countries like India. All the respondents had suggested for coops to commence value addition process like the AMUL Coops in the milk sector. It is common knowledge that those with resources are included and those with out are excluded. Thus income inequality is the major issue facing coops in particular and the developing economies in general. To counter that we need a culture of integrated and inclusive growth as the non- tradable plan objective. Here comes the unequivocal role of the society in facilitating equalitarian culture for inclusion.
It is worth to recall that out of eight MDG’s of the United Nations, the first one is of direct relevance to the theme of this paper, namely to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger. Rural coops with spread effects have a critical role to play in this context. Other goals like to ensure environmental sustainability, to improve maternal health, to reduce child mortality, to promote gender equality and women employment and to achieve universal primary education have indirect bearing as well. As innovation is taking a centre stage these days, a paradigm shift must be seen in the rural coop sector as well. This means efforts must be there to rope in with sensitisation programmes, people with positive mindset, confidence and with the right attitude as coop members.
Representative micro studies are required to theorise and conceptualise many a hunch. In fact, the present study is not an attempt to generalise the study findings. Instead, this study is only a test case pointing a finger at the pulse of the general trend, suggesting that country wide studies may be commissioned to identify the magnitude to comprehend it comprehensively. These studies must cover the length and breadth of a given country to make it representative and credible. May be the central banks like the Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) or the apex planning body of the country must commission such studies to lend credibility to the whole exercise.
Inequalities and asymmetries do at times render the rural coops a cry over spilt milk. Here the bold initiatives taken up by the Anand Pattern of Coops must come to the rescue of policy makers in making coops as an instrument of socio- economic change. Under this pattern of rural coops, the government role is minimal as a facilitator, not an arbitrator or a controller.
It is an un-substantiated folklore that rural coops were great success stories all over the world. There are millions of coops, which failed miserably and made its members frustrated ones. Much depends on the leadership and the stake holders too. In the case of the “Anand Pattern”, the harmonious blend of leadership of the late Thribhuven Das Patel and the dedicated, self less team of local farmers along with the techno- managerial skills of Dr. V Kurien did the trick in its holistic environment with spread effects and linkages. Incidentally Dr Kurien at the full blossom of his 90 th birthday in Nov 2011 believes that the dialectical dimensions of rural coops were absorbed easily by the stake holders in the milk coops of Gujarat.
Coops in the third millennium must be de- linked from politics and from the
intervention of political parties. For rural coops to achieve the declared end
Results of empowering the small and marginal enterprises as envisaged under
the MDG’s of the UN, purpose of the loan must be the sole criterion, not
physical security as collateral.
In India coops are under the department of cooperation and elsewhere it is under some government departments, leading at times to degeneration and corruption of untold magnitudes. Government controls must be done away with. They are to be freed from departmental clutches as done in the case of the Anand Pattern of Coops. Coops are doing shadow boxing for some one else in its day to day running .In fact, it was suggested by the sample that coops must be under an independent agency like Indian CBI or American FBI to render it totally free from the clutches of sordid vested interest groups.
Financial discipline is a totally non tradable pre-requisite for any coops to be result oriented and sustainable. It was felt by all the respondents, in both the study areas that coops must strive to have brand image like that of AMUL. It may be taken for granted that brand image and niche markets go hand in hand.
All the respondents had suggested for rural coops to commence value addition process like “Lijjat Papad” or the “AMUL” Coops.
It is suggested to take up on war footing targeted and well articulated awareness campaigns in the rural areas. The efficiency of funds management is yet another area demanding urgent attention at the policy makers’ level for rural coops in its revamping agenda. As a balancing act, rural coops among others may think of embracing the domain of micro finance effectively and efficiently. Nonetheless, rural credit coops at any time should not charge interest on crop loans more than the minimum rates charged by scheduled commercial banks. After all, these coops are designed exclusively targeting the small and marginal poor, who should not be exploited by sordid groups in the name of cooperation by imposing up on them dearer credit.
In the new millennium, rural coops must have a new image, message and delivery pattern to make it vibrant, result oriented and member friendly as well as society oriented. It must have forward thinking co-operators and planners as well.
The office bearers of coops must be honest to the core. It was uniformly suggested by all the respondents to elect only actual stake holders as office bearers of coops. Elections must be fair, democratic and non political. The million dollar suggestion was as how to persuade honest people of standing in the rural areas to lead village coops. In the same way all respondents had demanded the summary dismissal of corrupt and stained office bearers and members from coop fold. The magpie mind set of the paid staff and office bearers of the rural coops must under go a sea change for the good. It was a welcome suggestion that mandatory social auditing may be introduced in the rural coops. Half yearly accounting was recommended by many a respondent. May be it was not fully understood by the respondents in general as well as its implications as was the case with several other parameters. The coop lending rates must be lower than other financial institutions. It was a general practice to insist on multiple shares of membership in coops. A few coops have discontinued this system. But the voice of the field was to do away with multiple shares in coops. In several coop societies, it was pointed out by the respondents that even when staffs are not there, fans and lights were running. Same is the case with other utilities like phones, water, etc. This must be strictly contained.
In a way the foregoing sample study drives home the hard point that it is time to take sides in developmental dispensation of justice. We have to say emphatically, enough is enough and plunge into concerted action in empowering the rural coops and its millions of beneficiaries across the world. The policy makers can not shy away from this challenge, if they are really worth the name.
A well thought out strategy for a revamped rural coop system must be in place in the new millennium which among others should include empathy on the part of coop office bearers and staff towards ordinary members. Besides, coops must render advice to farmers and such other members on a wide variety of agro- eco- environment issues.
Rural coops must play the role to facilitate the dynamics and development policies of rural economies during the twenty first century. Rural infrastructure has been very weak in many a developing country and needs urgent attention to improve it taking into account the development vision of the new millennium as well as the MDGs. The increase in farmer incomes has been very slow as compared to their urban counter parts and this need to be attended to expeditiously on a mission mode under the rural coops as it has a mass base in many a developing country.
After considerable field exposure to 1200 respondents of rural cooperation spread over 48 villages and settlements from a backward and advanced district of a highly literate state of India, it was felt that more representative micro studies are required to theorise and conceptualise many a hunch. Besides, these studies must cover the length and breadth of a given country to make it representative and credible. May be the central bank or the apex planning body of the country must commission such studies to lend credibility to the whole exercise. A SWOT analysis of coops: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats also may be done along with such studies to base the New Deal of the rural coops in the third millennium. In fact, this demands focus group discussions to draw up any meaningful policy decisions as well.
End
(Dr KM George, Formerly- UN Advisor and Director, Agriculture, Gender & Environment Advisory Services (AGES),
PO Ooramana, Kerala, India, Pin 686730; E-Mail melmana@gmail.com; Cell phone +91-9947670887) *
Introduction:
1) “Cooperation has failed. But it must succeed,” goes the famous slogan of the co-operators heard in the late 1950s in India. The reality is not radically different even to day. Yes it must be people oriented and its direct beneficiaries must be the members at large. There are several reasons for its success or failures in different places and regions like the success cooperative stories of sugar coops in Maharashtra state in India and the milk coops in Gujarat state and the non- starter coops in several other states of India. “Each one to him self and let the devil take the hind most,” has been the major problem faced by coops globally to put it in proper perspective. “All for one and one for all” was the key gospel of cooperatives. But gradually coops got degenerated as sordid vested interests made it their backyard for narrow, petty and personal gains. It was abused and misused than any other system the world over. It has been the breeding ground of corruption, political high handedness, favouritism, nepotism and the like. Besides, it is observed that many a politician have had used it as a stepping stone to climb up the stairs to the power corridors in the democratic realms of governance in several developing countries as it offers an excellent breeding ground on account of its fairly good coverage and easily gullible members.
2) Revamping of rural coops has several challenges and various vicissitudes and it offers tremendous opportunities as well. There is a need for a holistic approach in this regard with location specific and realism based safeguards to insulate the coops from the reckless politicians who run amuck in the cooperative arena.
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*AGES is an autonomous institution not funded by any agency. Its funds are generated by own member contributions and the payments received from assignments carried out for the various agencies in and around. It is more of a socio-economic and environmental advocacy organisation. The author places on record his sincere thanks to Dr Ms.Isabella George ((President of AGES); Dr. Narendra Tunwar, Sr CTA of FAO; & Mr K.Kannan, Director, ADB, Manila; for their editing skills on an earlier draft of this paper. Field data support was rendered by several well meaning co-operators. I am indebted beyond words to my respondents. Mistakes, if any, are solely attributable to me only.
3) Self Help Groups (SHGs), Neighbourhood Help Groups (NHGs) Grameen Banks (Village level banks), Anand Pattern Coops and the like are the institutional innovations posing as inspiration cum challenges in the revival of rural coops. At the same time niche markets are to be identified with brand image like micro finance catering to the total credit requirements of the poor and the inarticulate with out making them to run from pillar to post.
4) In fact, the money lender efficiency coupled with the Grameen Bank transparency, Self Help Group cohesion and warmth as well as the Anand Pattern sincerity are the key words in the revamping of any rural coops worth its name in the third millennium. This will, among others, ensure peoples’ participation as the institution is working with them and not merely for them alone.
5) Well much water is under the bridge since field based feed back is available to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the rural coop system. There is no point in beating around the bush. What is required is a detailed diagnostic empirical study on the lessons learned and to spell out the challenges faced by the rural coops in the third millennium. In fact, the scenario has undergone a sea change during the past century in several fields and cooperation is no exception either. Micro studies are required to theorise or conceptualise many a hunch. It is therefore, imperative to examine the theme in detail and that too with the help of dependable field data. Accordingly a filed work was conducted in the state of Kerala in India, spread over two districts. While one came from the advanced group, the other was a backward one. More details of the empirical study are to be looked into.
Empirical Evidence:
6) An empirical study was conducted in Oct-Nov 2011 exclusively to collect information pertaining to this study. The basic details are given in Table: 1.
Table: 1: Basic Information of the Primary Data:
Country: India
State: Kerala
Districts Covered: Ernakulum (Advanced Area)
Idukki (Backward Area)
7) Table: 2 shows the details of the villages covered by the filed work in both the districts.
Table 2: Villages & Settlements Covered for the Study:
Ernakulum District:
Villages / Settlements (24) Number of Respondents (600)
1) Aimuri 25
2) Ceriya Oorayam 25
3) Karukadam 25
4) Kadathy 25
5) Kodanad 25
6) Kunnakkal 25
7) Kizhumury 25
8) Kanjaravely 25
9) Mamallassery 25
10) Mannathoor 25
11) Mudakuzha 25
12) Naarakkad 25
13) Neendapara 25
14) Neeriyamangalam 25
15) Oilyappuram 25
16) Ooramana 25
17) Pampakuda 25
18) Peringole 25
19) Puthuppaddy 25
20) Paimattam 25
21) Pulluvazhy 25
22) Pulimthanam 25
23) Talacode 25
24) Vengoor 25
Total Villages: 24: Total Respondents: 600
Idukki District:
Villages & Settlements (24) Respondents (600)
1) Ayyappancovil 25
2) AKG Paday 25
3) Anjalipalam 25
4) Chempakapara 25
5) Chattupara 25
6) Chottapara 25
7) Kattapana 25
8) Kalathotty 25
9) Karimkunnam 25
10) Kuthirakallu 25
11) Kalkunnel 25
12) Kochuthavala 25
13) Machipillavu 25
14) Purapuzha 25
15) Suvarnagiri 25
16) Thnkamani 25
17) Thodupuzha 25
18) Thovala 25
19) Thovarayar 25
20) Uppukandam 25
21) Upputhara 25
22) Vazhathoppu 25
23) Valiyakandam 25
24) Vellayankudi 25
Total Villages : 24 Total Respondents: 600
Ernakulam Villages : 24 Respondents : 600
Idukki Villages : 24 Respondents : 600
Total Villages : 48 Respondents :1200
Study Methodology:
8) The methodology used for collecting primary data was based on multi-stage random sampling technique. It was based on the phenomenon of the “wisdom of the crowds”. Ernakulum and Idukki districts from central Kerala in India were selected, the former being a developed district while the latter being a backward one. From each district 24 villages were randomly selected and from such selected villages, again randomly 25 households were selected for the collection of primary data. A pre- tested interview schedule was used to collect the data by interviewing the respondents at their respective homes. A copy of the questionnaire is given in Appendix-1. The interviews were conducted, exclusively for this study in Oct-Nov 2011.
9) The major limitation of the study includes memory bias of the respondents as well as the small sample of 1200 respondents confined to one single geographical area of a vast country like India to arrive at policy level conclusions. In fact, it is not an attempt to generalise the study findings. Instead, this study is only a test case pointing a finger at the pulse of the general trend, suggesting that country wide studies may be commissioned to identify the magnitude to comprehend it comprehensively.
Socio- Economic Profile:
10) After having seen the list of villages and the methodology adopted for the study, it is only logical to examine the socio-economic profile of the study sample. Table 3 shows the details further.
Table: 3 Average Family Size of the Sample:
Ernakulum 1657 (2.43)
Idukki 2368 (4.76)
All 4025 (3.35)
11) It can be seen from the foregoing table that while the average family size was 3.35 persons, in the backward district it was 4.76. However, for the advanced district it was 2.43 only. In a way this is in line with the development indicators in general in a literate state like Kerala.
Table 4 shows the details of respondents according to literacy standards.
Table: 4 Level of Literacy of Head of Household
Literacy/ Districts Ernakulum Idukki
Illiterate 7 (1%) 22 (4%)
Less than 5th Std 340 (57%) 289 (48%)
(Primary)
Middle to High School 174 (29%) 247 (41%)
College Educated 79 (13%) 42 (7%)
Total 600 (100) 600 (100)
12) In both the study areas there was a preponderance of respondents with primary education. The more advanced an area is, the higher the extent of educated head of households as respondents. It is a truism the world over, save some exceptions here and there. The extent of illiterate respondents was more in the backward area. Some 99 Per cent of the respondents were literate in the advanced area while it was only 96 percent for the backward area. While 13 per cent of the respondents were college educated in the advanced area, it was only seven per cent in the backward area.
13) Another social dimension is the extent of religious affiliations. Table 5 shows the details.
Table: 5 Respondents According to their Religion
Religion/Districts Ernakulum Idukki
Hindus 280 (47%) 70 (12%)
Christians 290 (48%) 497 (83%)
Muslims 30 (5%) 33 (5%)
All 600 (100) 600 (100)
While the advanced district had an almost equal share of Hindus and Christians in the sample (47 % & 48 %), in the backward district 63 percent of the respondents were Christians. Oddly some five per cent of the respondents in both the areas were Muslims. In backward areas of Kerala, it is almost common knowledge that, Christians with large families had migrated looking for fertile land.
14) After having seen the social dimensions, let us look at the sample from the economic side too. Table 6 shows the respondents according to land holding size.
Table: 6 Land Holding Size wise Distribution of Respondents
Holdings/ Respondents Ernakulum Idukki
Less than One Acre 147 (25%) 102 (17%)
One to Three Acres 396 (66 %) 87 (15%)
More than Three Acres 57 (9 %) 411 (68%)
Total 600 (100) 600 (100)
Note: In Ernakulum Dist, it varies from five cents to 15 Acres, while in Idukki it ranges from 25 cents to 20 acres.
15) In the advanced area, there was a concentration (66 %) of respondents having one to three acres of land. It was for the higher land holding bracket, that is three and more acres, the backward area had reported preponderance (68 %). Similarly for the backward area, respondents having less than one acre of land were only 17 per cent. It seems the pressure on land is more pronounced in the advanced area as evdiended from the foot note to the table.
16) Another important dimension is the source of income. Table 7 shows the details.
Table: 7 Respondents According to Major Sources of Income
Sources/ Districts Ernakulum Idukki
Agriculture 250 (42%) 300 (50%)
Dairying 291 (48.5%) 253 (42%)
Daily Wages 33 (5.5%) 35 (6%)
Wage Employed 17 (3%) 09 (1.5%)
Self Employed 09 (1.5%) 03 (0.5%)
All 600 (100) 6000 (100)
Note: Self employed include auto workshops, news paper vending, lawyers, etc.
17) Both agriculture and dairying constituted the major sources of rural income in both the areas. The backward area has relatively more emphasis on agriculture. This is followed by daily wages. The number of wage employed and self employed were more in the advanced area.
Rural Coops an Assessment:
18) The focus of the study is the rural coops. As such a good lot of information is required about the rural respondents association with the coops. An attempt is made to analyse it with the help of the following tables.
Table: 8 Study Specific Memberships in Rural Coops
Type of Coops / Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Milk Coops 550 (92%) 470 (78%) 1028 (86%)
Primary Credit Coops 295 (49%) 173 (29%) 468 (39%)
Rubber Coops 137 (23%) 77 (13%) 214 (18%)
Coconut Coops 113 (18%) 67 (11%) 180 (15%)
Pepper Coops 92 (15%) 33 (5.5%) 125 (10%)
Paddy Coops 127 (21%) 00 127 (10%)
Coir Coops 31 (5%) 00 31 (2%)
Cardamom Coops 00 09 09 (1%)
Note: Figures are not mutually exclusive.
19) It can be inferred from the foregoing table that milk coops were the most popular rural coops among the sample respondents. Between districts, it was more pronounced by its presence in the advanced area. Same is the case with primary credit coops too. While paddy and coir coops were the exclusive domain of the advanced area, may be due to its location advantages, cardamom has its exclusive say for the backward area possibly on account of its hilly terrain. By sheer membership pattern, several crops oriented rural coops were very popular among the sample respondents. They were simultaneously members of several coops. That is the reason to mention that figures are not mutually exclusive.
Table: 9 Length of Association with Coops
Period/ District Ernakulum Idukki All
Less than 10 years 117 (33%) 235 (67%) 352 (100)
10 to 20 Years 296 (53%) 258 (47%) 554 (100)
More than 20 years 187 (64%) 107 (36%) 294 (100)
All 600 600 1200
20) Nearly 50 per cent of the respondents had cooperative association ranging from 10 to 20 years. While some 67 per cent of the respondents had reported association with coops for less than 10 years in the backward area, some 64 percent in the advanced area had strong association with coops for more than 20 years. It is evident from the foregoing table that the sample respondents had adequate exposure to rural coops to assess its performance and their expectations too.
21) A question was asked to the respondents as to who did they consider as the owner of the rural coops. The reply is tabulated and presented in Table 10.
Table: 10: Ownership of Coops as Perceived by Respondents
Perceptions/ Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Members Own 293 (50%) 237 (40%) 530 (44%) Govt owns 95 (15%) 113 (18%) 208 (18%)
Secretary/President 157 (26%) 181 (30%) 338 (28%)
Do not Know 55 (9.0%) 69 (12%) 124 (10%)
All 600 (100%) 600 (100%) 1200 (100%)
22) Some 44 per cent of the respondents had opined that the rural coops are owned by members. In the advanced area, they were more emphatic as nearly half of the sample was of the firm conviction that members own the coops. Again around 10 percent of the respondents had no idea as to who was the owner of the coops. This shows the need for strong awareness campaigns targeting the rural areas to explain the coop movement. Regarding the ownership of coops, some 18 and 28 percent of the total sample felt that it was owned by Government and Secretary / President of the coops respectively. Here again, the misunderstanding was marginally higher in the backward areas.
23) It was also investigated while in the field for the empirical data collection as to how the coop member ship was obtained by the members. The tabulated details are given in Table 11.
Table: 11: How Did they Obtain Coop Membership?
Modes/ Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Paying fees 493 (82%) 409 (68%) 902 (75)
Some else pays for votes 103 (17%) 121 (20%) 224 (19)
Do not Know 04 (1%) 70 (12%) 74 (6)
Total 600 (100) 600 (100) 1200 (100)
24) Some 75 per cent of the respondents had opined that membership was obtained by paying the prescribed fees. While 19 per cent felt that some one else has been paying for their membership soliciting their votes to become board members. It was more pronounced in the backward area. While six percent never knew as to how the membership was obtained, the respondents falling into this category was only one percent in the advanced area. But it was some 12 percent in the backward area. Again it is suggestive that strong awareness programmes are to be taken up in the rural areas targeting the cooperative members to enlighten and empower them.
25) Another dimension of the empirical investigation was as why did the respondents prefer coops? The details are tabulated and given in the following table.
Table: 12: Reasons for Preferring Coops
Reasons /Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Proximity 373(35%) 410(33%) 783(100)
Banks are Cumbersome 317(30%) 423(34%) 740(100)
Follow Neighbours 375(35%) 417(33%) 792(100)
Total score 1065(100) 1250(100) 2315(100)
Note: Figures are not mutually exclusive.
26) It can be adduced from the foregoing table that, by and large, in both the study areas the respondents were almost equally divided regarding the reasons for preferring the coops. In the advanced area some 35 %, 30% and 35 % felt that proximity of coops, cumbersome bank procedures and demonstration effect to follow the neighbours were the major reasons for preferring coops. In the backward area the same reasons were sighted almost in equal proportion by the respondents.
27) It is worth while to examine the government stake in coops. Members and respondents had different and varying views on this. The details are given in Table 13.
Table: 13: Govt Stake in Coops
Parameters/ Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Funding from Govt
Yes 578 (96%) 531(89%) 1109(92)
No 22 (4%) 71(11%) 93(8)
Govt Control over coops
Yes 600 (100%) 518(86%) 1118(94) No 00 82(14%) 82(6)
28) It can be seen from the foregoing table that some 92 per cent of the respondents felt that government was funding coops. Between districts, an over whelming number of respondents had affirmed that government funding was common knowledge to all. But government control over coops was cent percent according to the respondents from the advanced area. However, the respondents of the back wad area had some doubts about it as 14 per cent had opined that there was no government control over coops.
29) Efficiency in coops has been a matter of debate. The following table shows the tabulated responses pertaining to efficiency as reported by the sample of 1200 respondents.
Table: 14: Efficiency in Coops
Parameters of Efficiency/ Districts: Ernakulum Idukki All
Better in efficiency 279 (46%) 400 (67%) 679 (57)
Inefficient 321 (54%) 200 (33%) 521 (43)
All 600 (100) 600 (100) 1200 (100)
30) Over all some 57 percent respondents had observed that as compared to other institutions coops are efficient. Between districts, the back ward area felt that the coops are better. But in the advanced area, some 54 per cent respondents were of the firm view that coops were inefficient. For the large majority of the respondents in the back ward area (67 %) the coops were efficient, may be due to the limited alternatives available to them as compared to their counter parts elsewhere.
31) Another dimension of the enquiry was the interest burden of the coop loans as felt by the respondents. The tabulated details are furnished in Table 15:
Table: 15: Interest on Loans in Coops as compared to Banks out side
Interest Burden / Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Coop Interest rates are lower 357(60%) 451(75%) 808(67%)
Coops interest rates are higher 243(40%) 149(25%) 392(33%)
All 600(100%) 600(100%) 1200(100%)
32) It can be seen from the foregoing table that interest burden of coop loans are less as compared to the other institutional credit systems available. The replies were more emphatic in the backward area, as 75 per cent of the respondents felt that coop loans were cheaper in terms of interest burden. But people with more exposure to various sources of credit in the advanced area were of the same view, but felt that interest burden could be still lower, if the aim is the emancipation of the less privileged.
33) It was felt that a large number of coop members were not fully satisfied with the system of coops. An enquiry was conducted during the filed study as to what are the causes of such dissatisfaction. The details are given inTable16.
Table: 16: Reasons for not being fully satisfied with Coops
Reasons / Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
System is not fully transparent 217 (65) 117 (35) 334(100)
Too much politics 549 (58) 393 (42) 942(100)
Malpractices in weights & measures 212 (64) 121 (36) 333(100)
Loans given to favoured ones 481(56) 381 (44) 862(100)
Demanding several docs 169 (53) 147 (47) 316(100)
Coops do not purchase entire products 126 (64) 72 (36) 198(100)
Demanding bribes 234 (57) 179 (43) 413(100)
Note: Figures are not mutually exclusive.
34) It may be seen from the foregoing table that in the advanced area some 65 per cent of the respondents felt that the system of coops was not fully transparent. It gives adequate room for playing around for the corrupt ones. In the same way coops are the basic arena for party politics and such other political games. Malpractices in weights and measures, particularly in the case of credit coops, when ever sale of agricultural inputs are involved was a major cause of complaint. The same is the case with distribution of seeds, seedlings and such other inputs wherever Krishi Bhavans (Agricultural Village Offices) were involved. Large number of respondents had reported that favouritism was shown in the case of loan disbursements in coops. It was thought that scheduled banks were asking for several documents from borrowers. But surprisingly it was reported by respondents that even coops too insist on several documents. Another major cause of dissatisfaction was that coops of several types do not purchase the entire produce of the members during peak season, leaving the members high and dry. Many respondents had complained that the officials of the coops including lower level functionaries demand consideration payments for sanctioning loans and in the timely disbursal of subsidies. The details can be very devastating to several coops. Coops must be de-politicised and there should be zero tolerance to corruption.
35) It is only logical now to examine as to how the rural coops were perceived by the respondents spread over 48 villages and settlements.
Perception of Rural Coops: Time to Take Sides
36) All the 1200 respondents were asked about their perceptions of rural coops. It was very interesting to note the different and varying perceptions. One respondent might have given different perceptions. This means the totals may not add up to the total number of respondents. The tabulated summary is furnished in Table 13.
Table 13: Perception of Rural Coops by Respondents:
Perceptions / Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
- “A forum to render value addition
of produce of members & to do away
with middle men”. 73 23 96
2) “Mutual Help Forum” 93 71 164
3) “One for all and all for one” 150 211 361
4)” Helping to help one another” 69 117 186
5) “A Forum for common good” 278 311 583
6) “Group activity” 315 423 798
7) “Members Fellowship” 537 575 1112
8) “A forum of like minded people” 78 31 109
9) “A forum for collective action” 55 91 146
10) Hard work & harmony 37 12 49
11) A forum run by people &Govt. together 28 16 44
12) Action for common good 68 91 159
13) Forum to augment incomes 119 79 198
14) Forum of like minded people 580 437 1017
15) Institution for collective good 477 519 996
16) A group for common cause 519 497 1016
17) Self help Forum 343 473 816
18) A committed group to help each other 217 371 588
19) “A venture by a group” 170 105 275
20)”Democratic institution in good governance 59 111 170
21) A forum of least cost & maximum returns 480 515 995
22) Peoples forum 527 439 966
23) A fellowship for better lives 597 489 1086
24) It is a forum by people, of people, for people481 317 798
25) Forum for empowering & emancipation 138 77 215
26) A producer fellowship 438 317 755
27) Comprehensive dev forum 117 230 347
28) Forum for better returns 195 217 412
29) Resource owners fellowship 128 318 446 30) Peoples forum for socio-eco dev 28 12 40
Note: Figures are not mutually exclusive. They are the lay man/ woman perceptions. There may be overlapping and even double counting. Adequate allowance is given to accommodate as many views as possible.
37) It is very clear from the foregoing table that some eight percent of the respondents felt rural cooperation is a forum to render value addition of their produce and to do away with middle men who have been exploiting them. Between advanced and backward areas some 73 respondents had opined this in the former while in the backward area their number was only 23.
38) Some 14 per cent of the respondents felt that it is a mutual help forum of the members. Here again the number of reporting members were more in the advanced area at 93.
39) 30 percent of the respondents had opined that rural coops was based on the philosophy of one for all and all for one .Here the backward area has a definite edge in this understanding with some 211 members while in the advanced area it was only 150.
40) Helping to help one another was the perception of some 15 per cent of the respondents. Here again such a perception had an edge in the backward area.
41) It is a forum based on members active participation in deciding their common good was the perception of some 48 percent respondents. Here too some 311 respondents had reported such an opinion in the backward area as against 278 from advanced area.
42) Some 67 percent of the respondents had opined that cooperation is group activity. Here too the backward area had an edge over the advanced district with423 respondents
43) It was a considerable opinion of some 93 percent of the respondents that cooperation means members’ fellowship. Both study areas had an over whelming voice on this perception.
44) It was considered as a social activity by like minded people by some nine per cent respondents.
45) 12 per cent of the respondents had felt that cooperation a collective action forum by producers to market their produce profitably.
46) Farmers’ action for their betterment was the perception of rural coops of some four percent of the respondents.
47) But some other four percent of the respondents had opined that a coop is a forum run government and people together.
48) Cooperation is a group activity according to some 79 per cent of the respondents. Here the voice of the advanced area has been very discernible.
49) It is a fellowship of medium and small enterprises to augment their income generating activities according to some16 percent of the respondents.
50)Another set of respondents, 84 per cent, had felt that coops are forum of like minded people governed by a set of rules in good governance. Both the study areas had a sizeable number of such reporting respondents.
51) Some 83 per cent of the sample felt that rural coops are institutions of like minded people run for their common good. Both areas had a large number of such respondents too.
52) A group of people coming together for a common cause was the perception of coops of some 85 per cent o f the respondents. It was the general feeling in both the study areas.
53) A forum of like minded people for self help was the perception of some 68 per cent respondents of rural coops.
54) A few others, say 49 per cent, felt that coops means a group of committed people to help themselves.
55) For some 23 per cent, it is venture by group of producers and farmers.
56) It is a democratic institution in good governance according to some 14 per cent respondents.
57) A few others, but a sizable number of respondents, say 83 per cent had felt that it is forum to facilitate production and marketing at least cost and maximum returns to its members.
58) Some 80 per cent had opined that it is a people’s forum for common good of both producers and consumers.
59) All most all the respondents (99 %) felt that coops mean a producer fellowship for bettering their lives.
60) Some 66 per cent of the respondents had opined that it is a forum of ordinary people, for them and by them.
61) It was strange to note that some 18 per cent of the respondents had opined that rural cops are forum to empower the poor and emancipate the down trodden.
62) Nearly all the respondents had opined that rural coops are institutions to help its members. Both the study areas were competing with one another in their responses in this regard.
63) Some 63 per cent felt that coops are producer fellowship forums for enhancing their returns with integrations.
64) It was perceived by 29 per cent of the respondents that rural coops are the institutions meant for the comprehensive development of it s members.
65) For some 34 per cent respondents coops means a forum based on members resources for the needy ones to realise better returns.
66) It was felt by some 37 per cent of respondents that coops mean the local fellowship of like minded resource owners for their collective betterment.
67) Last but not the least, according to some five percent respondents; coops are institutions of members to foster hard work, understanding and harmony among like minded people. It was also felt that for socio- economic development, coops are the basic starting point with people’s participation.
68) In a way the foregoing analysis drives home the hard point that it is time to take sides in developmental dispensation of justice. We have to say emphatically, enough is enough and plunge into concerted action in empowering the rural coops and its millions of beneficiaries across the world. The policy makers can not shy away from this challenge, if they are really worth the name.
69) It is now only logical to look in to the various suggestions came from the respondents in making the rural coops to work better for the stake holders. The details are furnished in Table 17.
Table: 17: Suggestions in Making Coops to Work Better
Suggestions /Districts Ernakulum Idukki All
Office bearers to be honest 600 600 1200
Elect only actual stakeholders 600 600 1200
Hold fair & democratic elections 600 600 1200
Persuade honest people to coops 517 600 1117
Throw out stained members 600 600 1200
Mandatory social auditing 600 600 1200
Half yearly accounting 471 554 1025
Lending rates to be lesser 600 600 1200
Do away with multiple shares 427 513 940
Utility bills to be minimal 600 600 1200
Note: Figures are not mutually exclusive
70) It may be adduced from the foregoing table that some 10 positive suggestions came from the field to render coops a success story. Both areas had opined that the office bearers of coops should be honest to the core. It was uniformly suggested to elect only actual stake holders as office bearers of coops. Elections must be both fair and democratic. The million dollar suggestion was as how to persuade honest people of standing in the rural areas to lead village coops. In the same way all respondents had demanded the summary dismissal of corrupt and stained office bearers and members from coop fold. It was a welcome suggestion that mandatory social auditing may be introduced in coops. Half yearly accounting was recommended by many a respondent. May be it was not fully understood by the respondents in general as well as its implications as was the case with other parameters. The coop lending rates must be lower than other financial institutions. It was a general practice to insist on multiple shares of membership in coops. A few coops have discontinued this system. But the voice of the field was to do away with multiple shares in coops. In several coop societies, it was pointed out by the respondents that even when staffs are not there, fans and lights were running. Same is the case with other utilities like phones, water, etc. This must be strictly contained.
Make a Difference to Millions: New Deal:
71) The foregoing analysis has shown one thing that despite good intentions, the out comes were pretty bad many a time. At times it was man made and at times it was due to external factors.
72) Having seen the above facts and figures, it is pretty easy to proceed to the succeeding sections of this study. The voices from the filed are very fair, sound and adequate that, “Cooperation has done good things. But there are several draw backs and lacunae in its approach and out look. It has become the hot bed of politics. In the new millennium, rural coops must have a new image, message and delivery pattern to make it vibrant, result oriented and member friendly as well as society oriented”.
Table 18 shows the tabulated responses of the respondents in this direction.
Table: 18: How to Organise Coops in the 21st Century to make it Vibrant,
Result Oriented and Member Friendly?
73) Suggestions / Respondents: Number Percent
1) Enrol more members in various coops 917 76.4
2) Minimise operational costs like processing fees 1171 97.8
3) Embark upon targeted awareness campaigns 1057 88.1
4) Efficient funds management by credit coops 931 77.6
5) Coops to commence value additions process like AMUL 1200 100.0
6) Make Coops stake holder participative 1051 87.6
7) Paid staff to behave 771 64.1
8) Principles of Cooperation to be widely publicised 547 46.1
9) Do away loans under ghost names 637 53.1
10) Manipulations in subsidies to be stopped 471 39.1
11) Distribute only quality inputs under coops 1190 99.1
12) Impart on the job training to staff for better performance 1083 90.1
13) Highlight the principles of impeccable integrity 917 76.4
14) Only real stake holders to attend elections 1200 100.0
15) Adhere to strict financial discipline 1031 85.9
16) Coops to try for brand image like AMUL 1200 100.0
17) Coops to be proactive 710 59.1
18) Sale proceeds to be paid on time 1108 92.3
19) Transparency to be the key word of Coops 1200 100.0
20) Coops to ensure production incentives 817 68.1
21) Coops to be under an independent agency like FBI/CBI 1200 100.0
22) Inputs and out puts to be priced rationally 716 59.7
23) Coops to tie up with SHGs &India Post for better net working 1200 100.0
24) Ensure Coops to be a non -political activity 1200 100.0
25) Coop credit to have purpose as surety for micro enterprises 1200 100.0
74) It can be seen from the foregoing table that some 76 per cent of the study sample felt that rural coops must enrol more and more members as stake holders to make it a movement. Another line of action suggested is to minimise the operational costs like processing fees. Some 88 per cent of the respondents had suggested taking up on war footing targeted and well articulated awareness campaigns in the rural areas. The efficiency of funds management is yet another area demanding urgent attention at the policy makers’ level for rural coops in its revamping agenda. As a balancing act, rural coops among others, may think of embracing the domain of micro finance effectively and efficiently.
75) All the respondents had suggested for coops to commence value addition process like the AMUL Coops in the milk sector. It seems that stake holder participation at times is nominal and as such it was suggested that rural coops to be made participatory in letter and spirit. Some 64 per cent of the sample felt that the paid staffs are indifferent and inefficient and as such they must behave with the members as real servants of the coops. It was felt that the principles of cooperation must be widely publicised in the rural areas aiming at potential members as a part of information dissemination programme. It was pointed out that many a time coop loans were given to ghosts with the connivance of the staff and this tendency must be nipped in the bud itself to make coops meaningful and credit worthy. Yet another grey area has been the manipulations pertaining to subsidies. This is very suicidal for the continued stability of coops. Some 99 per cent of the respondents had suggested for the distribution of quality inputs. This would ensure credibility and loyalty too. Human resource management was another area of concern. Some 90 per cent of the respondents had suggested the need for on the job training targeting the paid staff of coops for better performance in a fast changing business world. Impeccable integrity on the part of the members and staff was another recommendation to make coops to become centres of excellence. It was suggested by the respondents en bloc that only real stake holders to attend elections to elect office bearers of coops. Back seat driving must be done away with in rural coops. Financial discipline is a totally non tradable pre-requisite for any coop to be result oriented and sustainable. It was felt by all the respondents, in both the areas that coops must strive to have brand image like AMUL. It may be taken for granted that brand image and niche markets go hand in hand. Coops are to be proactive. It seems as on now many a rural coops are reactive only. This situation must under go a sea change. Some 92 per cent of the sample respondents had demanded that payments for goods and services to be effected on time. 100 per cent of the respondents had suggested that in the third millennium transparency has to be the key image of rural coops. Another notable suggestion of the respondents was the replacement of subsidies with production incentives. This would render coops healthier ones as well as efficient as well. In India coops are under the department of cooperation and elsewhere it is under some other government departments, leading at times to degeneration and corruption of untold magnitudes. Govt controls must be done away with. They are to be freed from Departmental clutches. Coops are doing shadow boxing for some one else in its day to day running .In fact, it was suggested by the sample that Coops must be under an independent agency like Indian CBI or American FBI to render it totally free from the clutches of sordid vested interest groups. Inputs and out puts are to be priced rationally and scientifically. This would ensure credibility and member confidence too. In order to render rural coops efficient and to reach out to the grass roots at least cost, deliberate and conscious, efforts are required to make coops tied up with Self Help Groups and institutions like India Post in countries like India. It was the unanimous suggestion of all the1200 respondents.
They do abuse power and facilities. Coops have become a kind of hot bed of politics in many a developing country. Coops work for own hunch men regardless of need and merit. Again all the respondents felt that coops in the third millennium must be de- linked from politics and from the intervention of political parties. For rural coops to achieve the declared end results of empowering the small and marginal enterprises as envisaged under the MDGs of the UN, purpose of the loan must be the sole criterion, not physical security as collateral.
There is need for morals now than ever before and established religions like Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism and Islam must engage their believers to become torch bearers of moral values. This is important in making coops to imbibe the impeccable values of integrity.
76) Coops have a bigger role in turning around the rural economy. The classic case is the milk coops of Anand in Gujarat state of India. It has come to be known as “Anand Pattern of Coops”. Besides, its major architect has also become a role model for success stories of rural coops. Thus it is now well known the world over the “Kurien Pattern of Coops” and also “Patel Pattern of Coops”. But at the same time one must understand the stark reality as well elsewhere. It is an un-substantiated folklore that rural coops were great success stories all over the world. There are millions of coops, which failed miserably and made its members frustrated ones. Much depends on the leadership and the commitment of the stake holders. In the case of the “Anand Pattern”, the harmonious blend of the late Thribhuven Das Patel like leaders and the dedicated, self less team of local farmers along with the impeccable techno- managerial skills of Dr. V Kurien did the trick in its holistic environment with spread effects and linkages. Dialectical dimensions of rural coops were easily absorbed by the stake holders in the milk coops of Gujarat.
77) There is another coop success story, which should inspire all those with imagination and determination. Some social activists came together in western India in the post – independence era to get some kind of gainful employment for the housewives who were under employed and even unemployed. They had finally decided to start on a modest scale the manufacture of papad- pappadam, a kind of wafer thick delicacy made up of black gram (urad dall) with a combination of several minor ingredients to suite the local taste buds all over India. The various combinations include black gram with cumin seeds, chillies, garlic, black pepper, etc. It is sold like hot cake. It is the darling of the market. People use it along with meals and also are an excellent side dish for those who drink beer. It is a very good entrée for the start up of meals particularly soup. Thus the “Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad” (Women’s Household Lijjat Papad Industry) came into being, with spread effects and various positive socio-economic dimensions. To day it is a multi million dollar business. Besides the beneficiaries are millions of domestic consumers in India and abroad. It offers employment to thousands in several sectors and also it has increased the bargaining power of the other wise mute women. It has empowered women in terms of decision making, and making them better and successful entrepreneurs. Here again the export earnings realised has added to the weight of the kitty of the poor and at times the managerial skills of the inarticulate women to a discernible level. Its impact on poverty reduction as well as rendering a qualitative shift in the life style of the producers- stake holders- has been very salutary. Another side effect has been the availability of hygienically produced and packed eatable to the consumers. Lijjat is operated from Mumbai- Bombay.
78) Inequalities and asymmetries do at times render the rural coops a cry over spilt milk. Here the bold initiatives taken up by the Anand Pattern of Coops must come to the rescue of policy makers in making coops as an instrument of socio- economic change.
79) It is common knowledge that those with resources are included and those with out are excluded. Thus income inequality is the major issue facing coops in particular and the developing economies in general. To counter that we need a culture of integrated and inclusive growth as the non- tradable plan objective. Here comes the unequivocal role of the society in facilitating equalitarian culture for inclusion.
Now it is time to look into the policy aspects of the foregoing analysis in the form of suggestions and recommendations.
80) Recommendations & Suggestions:
In order to ushering in the “confidence factor” and pre-empting further erosion in the value systems related to rural coops, concerted efforts are to be in place in the form of proactive policies and programmes as well as strategies with holistic vision and mission in a moving equilibrium of a given social, political and economic milieu. A few such, emanating from this study are detailed here under for the benefit of further consideration at the hands of policy makers and planners.
- It is worth to recall that out of eight MDG’s of the United Nations, the first one is of direct relevance to the theme of this paper, namely to eliminate extreme poverty and hunger. Rural coops with spread effects have a critical role to play in this context. Other goals like to ensure environmental sustainability, to improve maternal health, to reduce child mortality, to promote gender equality and women employment and to achieve universal primary education have indirect bearing as well. As innovation is taking a centre stage these days, a paradigm shift must be seen in the rural coop sector as well. This means efforts must be there to rope in with sensitisation programmes, people with positive mindset, confidence and with the right attitude as coop members.
- B) Representative micro studies are required to theorise and conceptualise many a In fact, the present study is not an attempt to generalise the study findings. Instead, this study is only a test case pointing a finger at the pulse of the general trend, suggesting that country wide studies may be commissioned to identify the magnitude to comprehend it comprehensively. These studies must cover the length and breadth of a given country to make it representative and credible. May be the central bank or the apex planning body of the country must commission such studies to lend credibility to the whole exercise.
- Inequalities and asymmetries do at times render the rural coops a cry over spilt milk. Here the bold initiatives taken up by the Anand Pattern of Coops must come to the rescue of policy makers in making coops as an instrument of socio- economic change. Under this pattern of rural coops, the government role is minimal as a facilitator, not an arbitrator or a controller.
- It is an un-substantiated folklore that rural coops were great success stories all over the world. There are millions of coops, which failed miserably and made its members frustrated ones. Much depends on the leadership and the stake holders too. In the case of the “Anand Pattern”, the harmonious blend of leadership of the late Thribhuven Das Patel and the dedicated, self less team of local farmers along with the techno- managerial skills of Dr. V Kurien did the trick in its holistic environment with spread effects and linkages. Incidentally Dr Kurien at the full blossom of his 90 th birthday in Nov 2011 believes that the dialectical dimensions of rural coops were absorbed easily by the stake holders in the milk coops of Gujarat.
- Coops in the third millennium must be de- linked from politics and from the
intervention of political parties. For rural coops to achieve the declared end
Results of empowering the small and marginal enterprises as envisaged under
the MDG’s of the UN, purpose of the loan must be the sole criterion, not
physical security as collateral.
- In India coops are under the department of cooperation and elsewhere it is under some government departments, leading at times to degeneration and corruption of untold magnitudes. Government controls must be done away with. They are to be freed from departmental clutches as done in the case of the Anand Pattern of Coops. Coops are doing shadow boxing for some one else in its day to day running .In fact, it was suggested by the sample that coops must be under an independent agency like Indian CBI or American FBI to render it totally free from the clutches of sordid vested interest groups.
- Financial discipline is a totally non tradable pre-requisite for any coops to be result oriented and sustainable. It was felt by all the respondents, in both the study areas that coops must strive to have brand image like that of AMUL. It may be taken for granted that brand image and niche markets go hand in hand.
- All the respondents had suggested for rural coops to commence value addition process like “Lijjat Papad” or the “AMUL” Coops.
- It is suggested to take up on war footing targeted and well articulated awareness campaigns in the rural areas. The efficiency of funds management is yet another area demanding urgent attention at the policy makers’ level for rural coops in its revamping agenda. As a balancing act, rural coops among others may think of embracing the domain of micro finance effectively and efficiently. Nonetheless, rural credit coops at any time should not charge interest on crop loans more than the minimum rates charged by scheduled commercial banks. After all, these coops are designed exclusively targeting the small and marginal poor, who should not be exploited by sordid groups in the name of cooperation by imposing up on them dearer credit.
- In the new millennium, rural coops must have a new image, message and delivery pattern to make it vibrant, result oriented and member friendly as well as society oriented. It must have forward thinking co-operators and planners as well.
- The office bearers of coops must be honest to the core. It was uniformly suggested by all the respondents to elect only actual stake holders as office bearers of coops. Elections must be fair, democratic and non political. The million dollar suggestion was as how to persuade honest people of standing in the rural areas to lead village coops. In the same way all respondents had demanded the summary dismissal of corrupt and stained office bearers and members from coop fold. The magpie mind set of the paid staff and office bearers of the rural coops must under go a sea change for the good. It was a welcome suggestion that mandatory social auditing may be introduced in the rural coops. Half yearly accounting was recommended by many a respondent. May be it was not fully understood by the respondents in general as well as its implications as was the case with several other parameters. The coop lending rates must be lower than other financial institutions. It was a general practice to insist on multiple shares of membership in coops. A few coops have discontinued this system. But the voice of the field was to do away with multiple shares in coops. In several coop societies, it was pointed out by the respondents that even when staffs are not there, fans and lights were running. Same is the case with other utilities like phones, water, etc. This must be strictly contained.
- ) In a way the foregoing sample study drives home the hard point that it is time to take sides in developmental dispensation of justice. We have to say emphatically, enough is enough and plunge into concerted action in empowering the rural coops and its millions of beneficiaries across the world. The policy makers can not shy away from this challenge, if they are really worth the name.
- A well thought out strategy for a revamped rural coop system must be in place in the new millennium which among others should include empathy on the part of coop office bearers and staff towards ordinary members. Besides, coops must render advice to farmers and such other members on a wide variety of agro- eco- environment issues.
- Rural coops must play the role to facilitate the dynamics and development policies of rural economies during the twenty first century. Rural infrastructure has been very weak in many a developing country and needs urgent attention to improve it taking into account the development vision of the new millennium as well as the MDGs. The increase in farmer incomes has been very slow as compared to their urban counter parts and this need to be attended to expeditiously on a mission mode under the rural coops as it has a mass base in many a developing country.
After considerable field exposure to 1200 respondents of rural cooperation spread over 48 villages and settlements from a backward and advanced district of a highly literate state of India, it was felt that more representative micro studies are required to theorise and conceptualise many a hunch. Besides, these studies must cover the length and breadth of a given country to make it representative and credible. May be the central banks like the Nepal Rashtra Bank (NRB) or the apex planning body of the country must commission such studies to lend credibility to the whole exercise.
- or the apex planning body of the country must commission such studies to lend credibility to the whole exercise. A SWOT analysis of coops: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats also may be done along with such studies to base the New Deal of the rural coops in the third millennium. In fact, this demands focus group discussions to draw up any meaningful policy decisions as well.
End
Appendix- 1
Rural Cooperation: Lessons of the Past & Pathways to the Future: An Enquiry Conducted in Kerala, India
(Questionnaire for Cooperative Members)
Name:
Name of Kara/ village & Gram Panchayath:
Socio – Economic Details:
- Family size total members, who live together now
- Education of Head of household
- Religion
- Landholding size ( Acres )
- Major sources of Income( Agric/ Dairy/Daily wages/Wage employment/Others-specify) (Round the relevant ones)
Study Specific Questions (Round the answers wherever possible)
1) Member of Milk Coops/ RPS/ Primary Coops/Coconut Coop/Pepper Coop/Paddy Coop/ Others specify (Round one or more)
2) Since when are you a member? Year
3) Who is the owner of the society? (Your understanding?)
4) What is your status in the society? (Member/ Board member?) (Round)
5) How do you attain or get membership in the society? (By recommendation/ by paying fees/ some one else pays for you?)(Please Round.)
6) Why do you prefer coops to other institutions? (Near by/ Banks are very difficult/ other farmers do so/ do not know) (Round your replies).
6) What do you know about co-operation? Your own understanding.
7) Do you know about any government financial assistance to the society? Yes/No
8) Are you aware of any government controls over societies? Yes / No
9) Do you feel that there is compulsion to take shares to become member? Yes/No
10) If yes why is it so and is it desirable?
11) Are there any differences between coops and a private business concern in terms of interest you pay and in their efficiency?
12) Your membership: Is it a producer coop like Milk, Paddy, Rubber, Coconut, Pepper? (Round relevant answers)
13) Are you happy with the functioning of the coop? Yes/ No (Round the answer)
14) If not happy why so? (Round relevant ones)
- a) The system is not open
- b) Too much politics
- c) A lot of malpractices like weights & measure manipulations
- d) Loans are given only to favoured ones due to political considerations
- e) Demanding several unnecessary documents to take loan
- f) Coops are unable or unwilling to purchase the total production of members around the year.
- g) Demanding bribes.
15) What according to you are the suggestions to make Coops work for the fuller satisfaction of its members? (Round your replies)
- a) Its office bearers to be very honest and self less.
- b) Elect to the governing body actual stake holders, not ghost members
- c) Hold democratic, fair elections in the coops.
- d) Persuade only those who are very honest to become office bearers of Coops
- e) Throw out those corrupt who get a bad name for Coops
- f) Make social auditing compulsory for coops.( Effectively discharging its social objectives & social responsibilities of good governance-ethically, etc
- g) Present accounts to the general body every half year.
- h) Its lending rate of interest must be less than that of commercial banks, If not equal.
- i) There is no need to have Rs 10 multiples of shares while availing loans. Only one time Rs 10 share is adequate.
- h) Bills of telephone, power, water, etc may be strictly monitored to plug leakages.
16) How do you like the coops to be organised in the coming years, if you have your way of doing things to make it vibrant and result oriented as well as member friendly?
1)
2)
3)
Special Observations & Remarks
Place & Date