Declaration of Sophia

Chapter 9 The Co-operative:- The Little Man's Institution

9.1 Now for a few words on the Co-operative. After 10 years in office and seventeen years of existence, the P.N.C needs no preaching on the Co-operative to evoke conviction. That it is essentially and by definition the little man's institution and instrument of liberation is accepted. So also is the fact that it is a most important mechanism in the development of the nation. Thousands of co-operatives have been formed over the last ten years, and they dot the countryside.

Certain Weaknesses and Deviations

9.2 Growth, in numbers and capital employed has been rapid and impressive, but not only can this be greater, but also a number of weaknesses and deviations have become obvious.

9.3 While it is true that co-operatives are to be found in several sub-sectors where they were not hitherto, one notes that in some sub-sectors like logging and saw-milling, the number is not significant relative to private entrepreneurs.

9.4 In some of these case the problems are those of having competent and dedicated organisers and easily available credit for the purchase of the equipment. The latter problem can now be overcome since the establishment of the Agricultural Co-operative Development Bank, but the former requires for solution the availability, after training, of fully skilled organisers. This takes some time.

9.5 Then again, one finds persons purporting to form co-operative societies which are not really co-operative societies, but private companies using the advantages of co-operatives.

9.6 Further, there are some members of co-operative societies who operate like shareholders of private companies, displaying no interest in the work of the respective societies, but merely, intent on collecting dividends.

9.7 There have been a few instances in which co-op members have employed at a wage, other persons do their duties in the given society. These are some of the examples of the capitalist attitude and approach seeping into the Co-operative and which will destroy the institution if left unchecked.

Strengthening the Co-operative Sector

9.8 The Co-operative College at Kuru Kuru and several Co-operative Institutes have been set up to provide orientation and training relevant to the management and running of the co-operatives. But the facilities are still inadequate, as also are those for producing the proper type of persons as Co-operative Officers. Many of the latter were originally recruited on the basis of academic qualification or past service in the public sector and lack both the appreciation of objectives and the necessary dedication and commitment; they are merely civil servants in the old mould. It is clear that the system of training, identification and recruitment have to be changed radically.

9.9 In an attempt to cure these various ills, and more not referred to, the Co-operative Division of the Ministry of Co-operatives and National Mobilisation has had its vote for Co-operative Development substantially increased. This is to assist the Division and Ministry in carrying out their task efficiently without at least the inhibition of lack of financial resources.

9.10 Learning from the mistakes and failures of the last period, we can undertake the revolutionary changes that are necessary if the Co-operative Sector is to become the dominant sector and means of involving the little man in the process of self and national development. This depends not only on the availability of credit provided for through kindred institutions, but also on education and training and supervision in its best sense.