A future vision to activate the role of agricultural cooperatives in rural development (An evaluative study of agricultural cooperatives in Damietta Governorate)

Abstract

This study aims at assessing the current status of the agricultural cooperatives in Damietta Governorate, determining the obstacles facing the process of development and restructuring of agricultural cooperatives. To achieve the study’s objectives, performance efficiency measures were used in the agricultural cooperatives, represented in measuring the standards of human potential, material potential and organizational effectiveness. Comprehensive social survey of agricultural associations (79 associations) was selected as a methodology at the level of Damietta governorate. The most important results of the field study are The lowest indicators of human potential decline at the level of associations are the number of agricultural extension workers, the lowest indicators of material potential at the level of associations are: the equipment, devices, means of communication, financial facilities and budget, and the lowest organizational effectiveness indicators at the level of associations are: technological assimilation, cooperative awareness of the audience and members of the association, the social role of the agricultural association. As for the most significant problems experienced by agricultural cooperatives, the most important of which are Problems related to cooperative legislation, Problems related to regulation and administration, and Problems of self-financing. The field study reached a number of recommendations, All cooperative organizations should cooperate in establishing a fund, The need to strengthen agricultural cooperative associations with adequate and appropriate administrative and technical bodies, The need to pay attention to the development of training programs and means and raising the administrative and technical competencies of agricultural cooperatives’ staff, and Spreading cooperative awareness in society, developing cooperative journalism and mass media.