An empirical investigation into the co-operative olive societies in Cyprus—Some lessons to be learned

Abstract

This article examines empirically the co-operative olive structures prevailing in Cyprus prior to the Turkish invasion. The Cypriot olive producers have joined together into co-operative ventures in an attempt to raise their standard of living by freeing themselves from exploitation by the private merchants. This is a classic case-study that attempts to demonstrate how a group of farmers went about solving their economic problems through the setting up of agricultural co-operatives and, therefore, provides us with a model of successful co-operatives to be emulated by many developing countries. The methodological approach is historical and descriptive but, it is hoped, also analytical. For the purpose of this study the present writer visited Cyprus several times between 1970–1973 to gather information and data and interview the managers of all olive co-operatives in Cyprus, as well as to hold meetings and interviews with Government officials, olive producers and private entrepreneurs engaged in the olive trade. The information collected by the writer from his detailed examination of the records of these societies constitutes the basis for the analysis in this article.