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Book (stand-alone)New strategies for mobilizing capital in agricultural cooperatives 2004
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No results found.Capital accumulation in cooperatives is often difficult. It is shaped, and to some extent constrained, by a unique set of principles that define the cooperative identity and set it apart from other businesses. While its egalitarian rule of "one member, one vote" and its anti-profiteering precept of "limited return on capital" make the cooperative form of business appealing to a broad audience, these features can create genuine problems in mobilizing capital for growth. Despite this, cooperat ives in many developed countries have found innovative ways to mobilize capital from their members, while retaining important elements of their cooperative identity. Unfortunately, efforts to mobilize member capital have been less successful in developing countries where conditions are less favourable. This is particularly true for agricultural service cooperatives, which were often established by newly independent governments to meet nation-building goals and therefore relied on government support and subsidies. New donor and government priorities, plus changed global conditions have led to "downsized" government budgets and to liberalized markets. Subsidies for agricultural cooperatives are fast disappearing. To survive and grow in an increasingly competitive business climate, cooperatives must raise more capital from their members and also possibly from commercial sources. The aim of this booklet is to highlight some of the issues that cooperative leaders must confront in meet ing this challenge and to provide suggestions about how capital, especially member capital, can be mobilized in more effective ways. -
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No Thumbnail AvailableBook (series)Strategies for sustainable animal agriculture in developing countries 1993
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No results found.he FAO Expert Consultation on Strategies for Sustainable Animal Agriculture in Developing Countries was held at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 10 to 14 December 1990.Animal agriculture is a complex, multi-component, interactive process that is dependant on land, human resources and capital investment. Throughout the developing world it is practised in many different forms, in different environments and with differing degrees of intensity and biological efficiency. As a result any meaningful discussion of the subject must draw on a broad spectrum of the biological and earth sciences as well as the social, economic and political dimensions that bear so heavily on the advancement of animal agriculture. There is a growing consensus among politicians, planners and scientists alike that livestock production in the third world is not developing as it should, or at a sufficient pace to meet the high quality protein needs of a rapidly expanding human population. The sobering reality is, despite the many development projects implemented over the years by national, bilateral and multinational agencies and often substantial capital investment, there has been little or no change in the efficiency of animal production in the developing world. Livestock numbers have increased substantially in many countries and while the growth in output is welcome, it does not necessarily equate with sustainable productive growth. On the contrary it can, as it has done in the drought prone arid regions, lead to a lowering of productivity and degradation of the rangelands.The purpose of the Expert Consultation was to discuss and formulate specific criteria and questions relating to the planning and implementation of sustainable livestock production programmes in the developing world. There is increasing concern regarding the conservation of the natural resource base and protection of the global environment and FAO attaches highest priority to the sustainable development of plant and animal agriculture. This Expert Consultation is one of a number of initiatives being undertaken by FAO to ensure the sustainability of it's agricultural development programme. The discussion and recommendations arising from this Expert Consultation have been used to help to focus and guide global, regional and national policies and action programmes on the sustainable development of agriculture and have provided an important contribution to the FAO/Government of the Netherlands International Conference on Agriculture and the Environment held in the hague, 15–19 April, 1991.
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