Agricultural Cooperatives Research Articles

The current state of the agricultural advisory activity and its importance for the development of the agricultural cooperation in Ukraine

The article is devoted to researching the current state of the agricultural advisory activity and outlining its importance for the development of the agricultural cooperation in Ukraine. It is established that development of the agricultural advisory activity has a rather long world history: the first references are found in Mesopotamia. In 1847, the first modernized agricultural advisory service was established in Ireland. Subsequently, agricultural advisory services, which at the present stage demonstrate high efficiency indicators for the development of the agricultural sector of the economy, in particular the development of the agricultural cooperation, have spread to other countries of the world, in particular, Germany, Denmark, France, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy, Japan, the USA, etc. In Ukraine agricultural advisory activity started at the end of the 19th century. In 1995, the first modern agricultural advisory service in Lviv region began to form. Legal regulation of the agricultural advisory activity was introduced in 2004 through the adoption by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of the Law of Ukraine «On Agricultural Advisory Activity». In the course of the study, it was determined that agricultural advisory activity is a necessary condition for the effective development of the agricultural cooperatives in Ukraine, because in the conditions of the appearance of the latest innovative agricultural technologies, active updating of the legal acts in the agricultural sphere, taking into account the fact that the level of cooperative education of Ukrainians is not satisfactory, members of the agricultural cooperatives need proper professional informational and advisory support from the agricultural advisory services. At the same time, at the current stage, there continues to be a significant number of factors that restrain the development of agricultural advisory activities and agricultural advisory services, which, as a result, negatively affects the development of the agricultural cooperation. The article concludes that the effective development of the agricultural advisory activities and agricultural advisory services requires proper support from the state.

Assessment of mycotoxin contamination in Rwanda: A comparison of agro-ecological zones

Aflatoxin contamination of maize in Rwanda and underlying causes are poorly documented. This study aimed to address this gap where maize samples for aflatoxins analysis were collected from two different agro-ecological zones and the temperature and relative humidity conditions during the time preceding sample collection were monitored to determine the conditions conducive to this contamination. Maize was analysed for moisture content and aflatoxin contamination and the temperature and humidity data were used to estimate the saturation deficit of the ambient air as an indicator of risk of contamination, which is high when the saturation deficit is low. Results showed an average lower saturation deficit of 0.0018 kg H₂O kg−1 in the high-altitude Volcanic region compared to the 0.00095 kg H₂O kg−1 recorded in the lower altitude region of the Eastern Savannah. Given the high moisture content in most of the analysed samples, this meant that it is more challenging to dry maize to the safe storage moisture content in the Volcanic region compared to the Eastern Savannah. The mean aflatoxin contamination was 40.45 μg kg−1 in the Volcanic region significantly higher than 4.66 μg kg−1 in the Eastern Savannah. Aflatoxin G1 was predominant among the contaminated samples. Affordable drying technologies that use renewable sources of energy should be developed and made accessible to farmer cooperatives.

Rules get in the way of farmer cooperation: How Digital Agriculture could change the nature of the game in the Food-Energy-Water-Climate Nexus

Rules get in the way of farmer cooperation: How Digital Agriculture could change the nature of the game in the Food-Energy-Water-Climate Nexus

Polymorphism of serum blood proteins of herd horses (<i>Equus ferus caballus</i>) of the transbaikal breed

The results of a study of the genetic diversity of the Transbaikal horse breed based on the polymorphism of whey proteins TF, Es, and ALB in four herds of the Transbaikal region are presented. The Transbaikal horse belongs to the ancient aboriginal breeds and is most adapted to the local climatic conditions of dry, hot summers and frosty winters with little snow. It is unpretentious, hardy, and has a strong constitution. Research is aimed at preserving the breed’s genetic diversity by studying polymorphic variants of whey proteins, which are reliable genetic markers due to their codominant inheritance and comprehensive polymorphism. In the albumin locus, two alleles and three genotypes were identified. In the esterase locus, there are six alleles and 13 genotypes. In the transferrin locus - 7 alleles and 18 genotypes occur with different frequencies in the studied herds, which makes it possible to characterise their genotypic characteristics. Rarely encountered genotypes of the transferrin locus (less than 10 %) include eight genotypes: TFDD, TFDH, TFDI, TFDR, TFFI, TFFM, TFOR, TFR; esterase locus – 6 genotypes: EsGI, EsHH, EsHI, EsHO, EsII, EsGI. Based on the frequency of genotypes and alleles, homozygosity was calculated for each whey protein system and for the entire sample from the herd, the level of which ranges from 7.87 to 12.25 %. The overall homozygosity rate varies from 34.35 to 43.36 %, and the number of effective alleles (Na) in all herds is almost the same (2.30–2.91). Genetic variability ranges from 56.96–63.74 %. The index of gene similarity between herds is at the level of 0.8439–0.9058. The analysed herds form two subclusters: the first includes horses from the APC (Agricultural Production Cooperative) Livestock Breeding Farm named after. Kalinin and SPK “Rassvet”. In the second - animals from APC (Agricultural Production Cooperative) “Livestock Breeding Farm “Rodina” and AC (Agricultural Cooperative) “Taptanay”.

The effect of trust and social pressure on member commitment in agricultural cooperatives – Evidence from China

AbstractMember commitment has an impact on the viability and success of cooperatives. While there are studies on member engagement in European and American cooperatives, empirical research on member commitment in Chinese agricultural cooperatives is rare. Using a sample of 391 farmer cooperative members in China, this study investigates the factors associated with member commitment, particularly whether trust in the cooperative leadership and social pressure at village level affect member commitment. In addition, the study explores the pathway how trust and social pressure affect member commitment by employing structural equation modelling. Our results show that both trust and social pressure are positively associated with the three components of member commitment – affective commitment, continuance commitment and normative commitment – in a direct way. Furthermore, trust in the leadership impacts affective commitment indirectly via the mediation of member participation. These findings can be used by cooperative leaders, policy makers and rural administrators to strengthen member commitment and thereby the economic viability of agricultural cooperatives and the communities in which they are embedded.

Influential Factors on Women's Participation in Agricultural Cooperative in the Digital Era

Digitalization has brought ease in managing the operations of organizations in the world. However, education and digital literacy become hurdles for involving marginalized people. The participation of women is crucial for the overall development of humankind. "Gender equality and women's empowerment are essential for achieving sustainable development and creating a more just and equitable world"[1]. Indeed, greater women's participation can significantly boost qualitative and quantitative output in all fields. Promoting women's participation in rural areas can significantly impact agricultural economies, including increasing food production and dairy output. However, the participation of women in decision-making, particularly in rural areas, is often limited. This paper focuses on Identifying and analyzing the factors that prevent women from playing a more significant role in rural economies, which is an essential step towards promoting women's economic empowerment and achieving more equitable and sustainable development outcomes in the digital era. The study's finding suggests that education levels, lack of adequate training, and household work are key factors that limit the participation of women.

Multiple roles of agricultural cooperatives in improving farm technical efficiency: A case study of rural Gansu, China

AbstractThe establishment of agricultural cooperatives is widely viewed as an institutional arrangement to remove constraints that prevent smallholders from accessing profitable business opportunities in agriculture. Agricultural cooperatives in China offer a wide range of services within the framework of contract farming and vertical integration. This study empirically examines the multiple roles of China's cooperatives in improving farm production efficiency and conserving the agricultural environment. Considering that agricultural cooperatives' services can be broadly divided into biological and machinery services, we specify a stochastic frontier production function in a special form, called the separated Cobb–Douglas. The empirical results present clear evidence that Chinese agricultural cooperatives play essential roles in increasing biochemical technical efficiency and protecting the agroecological environment. However, the involvement of cooperatives as vertical integrators is demonstrated to have a detrimental effect on biochemical technical efficiency. The pressing challenge for agricultural cooperative development in China is to accommodate the conflicting consequences that their entry into farming has on biochemical and machinery technical efficiencies. This has strong policy implications, although our study has certain limitations in terms of the narrow focus on a single specific region. [EconLit Citations: C26, Q12, Q13, Q15, Q18].

Impact of Agricultural Cooperatives on Farmers’ Collective Action: A Study Based on the Socio-Ecological System Framework

Agricultural cooperatives greatly influence agricultural and rural modernization in China. Based on 381 farmer samples in the arid Tarim River Basin, this empirical study aimed to construct an index system for the exploration of the relationship between cooperatives and farmers’ collective action by using the Socio-Ecological System framework. The results showed that agricultural cooperatives helped to empower farmers to act collectively. Agricultural cooperatives, with the mechanisms of collective decision making, institutional constraints, and internal supervision, could realize the integration of resources required for farmers’ collective action and promote the sharing of risks and benefits. By providing financing support and a platform for resource integration, cooperatives could reduce constrains induced by economic difference among farmers; enhance village leadership, organization, and coordination; and promote the accumulation of social capital and villagers’ sense of identity with the village. Particularly, cooperatives could support farmers to adopt water-saving irrigation technologies and reduce their over-dependence on chemical pesticides and fertilizers, thus promoting farmers’ collective action. Therefore, the development of agricultural cooperatives will help enhance farmers’ collective action, promote the modernization of rural governance, and realize rural revitalization.

Alone as a drop, together as an ocean: Corporate political activity in cooperatives

Cooperatives are formed by the collective efforts of various actors pursuing common goals, enabling competition with stronger rivals. In Brazil, there is a strong relationship between agricultural cooperatives and politics, with their involvement focused on competing for regulations, information, and access to capital. However, little is known about the effects of this involvement. In this paper, we draw on collective action theory to investigate the individual and collective corporate political activities adopted by Brazilian agricultural cooperatives. Corporate political activity (CPAs) are a subfield of nonmarket strategy (NMS) that addresses actions firms develop outside the market arena to improve their outcomes and achieve competitive advantage. This study focuses on CPAs of Brazilian agricultural cooperatives, which account for over 48% of national agricultural production. We argue that collective CPAs are more effective for these cooperatives, as they enhance their representativeness and legitimacy, facilitating access to capital. To support our argument, we conducted a quantitative study using panel data from 394 Brazilian agricultural cooperatives. The results demonstrate the significance of collective CPA for accessing financing from the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and contributing to collective action theory by offering a political perspective. Moreover, the study enriches CPA literature by identifying two innovative collective CPA tactics: affiliation with central cooperatives and the Organization of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB). Lastly, the study highlights the importance of cooperation for individual and collective outcomes in practical settings.

THE ROLE OF COOPERATIVES IN ADVANCING AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN DAKSHINA KANNADA DISTRICT OF KARNATAKA – A META-ANALYSIS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to meta-analyse the effects of agricultural cooperatives in Dakshina Kannada, both historically and currently. In assessing the economic impact on farmers for revenue generation and cost savings, it looks for success factors and obstacles. Methodology: This study examines the literature on Dakshina Kannada agricultural cooperatives using a meta-analytical methodology. In order to give policymakers direction, the study evaluates historical effects, success determinants, and economic influences by utilising insights from governmental and academic sources. Findings: The research emphasises the necessity for thorough investigation to guide policymakers and cooperative initiatives by highlighting a significant knowledge gap about the effects of agricultural cooperatives in Dakshina Kannada. Practical Implication: The studys main goal is to provide important insights for wise policy decisions and successful cooperative tactics by examining historical and modern aspects. KEYWORDS: Agricultural Cooperatives, Dakshina Kannada, Meta-Analysis, Knowledge Gap, Policymaking, Cooperative Strategies.

PRIMARY AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVE SOCIETIES (PACS) AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGS): A STUDY IN KARNATAKA, INDIA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to meta-analyse the effects of agricultural cooperatives in Dakshina Kannada, both historically and currently. In assessing the economic impact on farmers for revenue generation and cost savings, it looks for success factors and obstacles. Methodology: The research evaluates PACS contributions, problems, and member perspectives on SDGs covering 2010–11 to 2022–23 using a variety of methods, including desk review, financial analysis, literature review, surveys, interviews, and case studies. Findings: A study found that NITI Aayog is how India commits to the SDGs. PACS in Karnataka are highly engaged members that have difficulties with accurate quantification. The key to success in the future is customised tactics and improved organisational capabilities. Practical Implication: NITI Aayog and PACS should work together more, data quantification techniques should be improved, strategies should be customised for local conditions, member engagement should be encouraged, capacity building should be facilitated, and supportive policies should be supported. KEYWORDS: Sustainable Development Goals, PACS, NITI Aayog, Micro-level, Collaboration, Member Engagement, Capacity Building, Quantification Methods.

Financial mechanism of state support for agricultural cooperatives in the Republic of Tatarstan

The article reflects the elemental composition of the financial mechanism of state support of agricultural consumer cooperatives. For example, in 2023, the total number of applicants for grant support in the form of the project "Agrostartup" in the Republic amounted to 76, support in the aggregate amount of 49.9 million rubles received 12 projects. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, in 2023, 215 applications for subsidies from various agricultural cooperatives were submitted in the Republic, targeted assistance was provided to 74 applicants. However, the authors point out that the potential of commercial lending to agricultural consumer cooperatives is not exhausted and should be based on: the development of project and investment lending; reduction of the time of consideration of applications; the possibility of collateral in the form of goods in circulation; issuance of guarantees and the possibility of pledging property from the collateral fund of the Union of Consumer Cooperative Organizations of the Republic of Tatarstan. Agriculture of the Republic of Tatarstan demonstrates a steady growth, the achievement of which is due in no small measure to the comprehensive state support, which positively affects the socio-economic development. The average share of profitable agricultural enterprises for 2019-2023 amounted to more than 90%, which reflects high economic efficiency.

Developing a Dynamic Marketing Channel Model for Agricultural Cooperatives in the New Media Economy Using the Power of the Internet of Things

Abstract The marketing channel is the lifeline of agricultural product circulation and marketing. Multi-level and multi-channel smooth circulation of agricultural products is an important way for agricultural cooperatives to realize the value of their goal. This paper builds an agricultural Internet of Things service system to lay an informatization foundation for the development of dynamic marketing channels of “new media platform + agricultural cooperatives”. With the use of new media platforms as an operational mode and the marketing strategy of agricultural cooperatives as guidance, the marketing effectiveness of agricultural products can be improved. Adopting Internet thinking and innovation trends, comprehending the characteristics of new media marketing, and encouraging collaboration between new media platforms and agricultural cooperatives. Based on 28,450 agricultural cooperatives in China, the marketing channel mode selection and characteristic data were analyzed, and it was found that among the 2,617 cooperatives using new media platforms for channel marketing, the product price fluctuation was between 0 and 10%, and the difficulty of product sales was stable in the interval of [0,40], which indicated that the new media marketing channel could make the price of agricultural products stable and easier to sell. Evolutionary game analysis found that the choice of cooperation or non-cooperation between agricultural cooperatives and new media platforms is related to the coefficient of benefit analysis, the coefficient of cooperation cost, and the liquidated damages of the cooperation between the two parties. Therefore, in order to improve the intensity of cooperation between new media platforms and agricultural cooperatives, improvements should be made in terms of benefits, costs, and liquidated damages.

Financial bootstrapping as a sustainable livelihood alternative for agricultural co-operatives in an emerging economy

There is a scarcity of scholarly literature relating to financial bootstrapping in emerging economies, especially the use by co operatives in general and agricultural co-operatives in particular. As such, the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co operatives in South Africa, an emerging economy, remain unknown (Rwekaza, 2021; Zantsi, 2021). The aim of this study is to determine the financial bootstrapping methods used by agricultural co-operatives. This study was undergirded by pragmatism, which allowed and guided the adoption of mixed-methods research. The qualitative aspect was given more priority or weight in answering the research questions, making it a quan → QUAL design. The study consisted of 52 agricultural co-operatives located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was found that agricultural co-operatives practised some of the bootstrapping methods, especially those related to owner-related financing. However, there is little or no evidence of bootstrapping practices related to sharing resources and minimising capital invested in stock and accounts receivable. The co-operatives stifled their growth as they employed counter-bootstrapping activities caused mainly by their unsubstantiated beliefs. This research furnishes rural co operatives with operational capital-enhancing guidelines that promote success

Application of Universal Cooperative Principles in Agricultural Cooperatives: A Case Study from Nepal

This study examines the use of universal cooperative principles by agricultural cooperatives in Nepal, highlighting their importance and the challenges they face. Data from 45 cooperatives, including savings and credit cooperatives (n=17) and multipurpose cooperatives (n=28), and 135 respondents in Tulsipur Sub-Metropolitan City, Nepal were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The study suggests that principles such as democratic member control, voluntary and open membership, and member economic participation are critical to the effective and sustainable operation of agricultural cooperatives in Nepal. These principles promote members' sense of responsibility and ownership by ensuring transparency, fairness, and democratic decision-making. However, the research also identifies several constraints facing Nepal's agricultural cooperatives, including limited access to finance, inadequate infrastructure, governance issues, lack of technical expertise, and political interference. These challenges could hinder cooperatives' ability to expand into new markets, provide essential services to members, and support the long-term growth of Nepal's agricultural sector. The study concludes that addressing these issues and promoting the adoption of universal cooperative principles are essential to strengthening agricultural cooperatives in Nepal and enabling them to significantly improve the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities.

Importance of Extension Activities Carried out by Agricultural Cooperative- Leaders and Its Relationship with Some Variables in Sharkia Governorate

Importance of Extension Activities Carried out by Agricultural Cooperative- Leaders and Its Relationship with Some Variables in Sharkia Governorate

Cooperative or competitive style of conflict management? Effects on information sharing and agricultural cooperatives’ performance

Resumo Este estudo examina a influência dos estilos de gerenciamento de conflitos, tanto cooperativos quanto competitivos, no compartilhamento de informações e, por sua vez, deste no desempenho organizacional. Examina-se também a mediação do compartilhamento de informações na relação entre os estilos de gerenciamento de conflitos e o desempenho organizacional. Os efeitos dos estilos de gerenciamento de conflitos foram analisados no nível intragrupo em um campo que pressupõe cooperação por meio de uma survey realizada com profissionais que atuam em cooperativas agropecuárias. Para a análise das 91 respostas válidas, utilizou-se modelagem de equações estruturais por mínimos quadrados parciais (PLS-SEM). Os resultados indicam relação entre estilos de gerenciamento de conflitos e compartilhamento de informações, que é positiva para o estilo cooperativo e negativa para o estilo competitivo. Além disso, foi observada relação positiva entre compartilhamento de informações e desempenho organizacional. No entanto, não se verificou um efeito mediador do compartilhamento de informações na relação entre os estilos de gerenciamento de conflitos cooperativo e competitivo e o desempenho organizacional. Com base nos resultados, conclui-se que o estilo cooperativo de gerenciamento de conflitos promove o compartilhamento de informações e melhora o desempenho organizacional. O mesmo não foi constatado para o estilo competitivo de gerenciamento de conflitos nas cooperativas pesquisadas. Isso amplia as discussões sobre os possíveis benefícios dos conflitos nas organizações, contrastando com as abordagens sobre seus efeitos maléficos no desempenho organizacional.

Кооперация как инструмент развития сельского хозяйства и сельских территорий

The article discusses the problems of the functioning of agriculture in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). Despite the annual increase in financing of the agricultural sector for a decade, the region has seen a decrease in the number of cattle, the instability of the number of herd horses and reindeer is noted, quality indicators in animal husbandry are declining, the parameters of self-sufficiency of the region with food products, defined by Decree of the Head of the Republic dated December 11, 2018 No. 232, are not achieved. The purpose of the study, the author determined the need to change approaches, in particular, management tools and mechanisms. The necessity of developing cooperation in agriculture is emphasized. To solve this problem, it is necessary to improve legislation and regulation in the field of cooperation. Government support is needed. The development of cooperation today should become one of the priorities of state policy and a necessary factor for the sustainability and revival of Russian agricultural entrepreneurship as a whole.

ANALYSIS OF OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FOR YUNNAN`S HIGH QUALITY OPENING UP TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD UNDER THE RCEP BACKGROUND

Yunnan is comprehensively accelerating the construction of China’s own development center for South and Southeast Asia. The Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership (RCEP), signed by 15 countries, has provided continuous support to Yunnan Province to accelerate the development of cross-border cooperation in agriculture, construction of logistics centers and business development in cross-border regions. The main focus is on the implementation of border innovation, which will make full use of the rules of the RAP to accelerate the development of Yunnan Province, and will become an important part of the new political system for the development of the province, as well as an important milestone of support to achieve various aspects of Yunnan’s economy and society and promote domestic and international development in the conditions of globalization. The further deepening of the reform will lead to the creation of a system of projects to streamline administration, delegate authority and improve services by government structures, as well as further improve standards, streamline procedures and expand external services, so as to create a favorable institutional mechanism for Yunnan to lead the outside world. To this end, the deep territorial integration of Yunnan into the China Pilot Free Trade Zone is already being created and numerous innovative experimental platforms are being launched that will demonstrate the openness of the Chinese economy to the outside world, will provide support for the development of regional institutional mechanisms to build an outward-oriented economy and promote investment, will ensure the protection of property rights, attract technological innovations and deepen economic cooperation. Active study of new cooperation models in the field of free trade, which are compatible with Yunnan Province and coordinated with neighboring Southeast Asian countries, will steadily promote the transformation of Yunnan Province’s openness mechanism to a new model of economic development.

REVIEW: Green Morocco Plan and Moroccan legislation for the socioeconomic and sustainable development of agricultural cooperatives: Challenges and prospects

Since its inception, the Green Morocco Plan (MGP) has set as its overriding objective a strong territorial anchoring to enhance agricultural potential and make agriculture an engine of modern, competitive and inclusive economic and social development. The MGP has been designed according to the principles of sustainable agriculture and affects the plural form of all players, particularly professional agricultural organizations of all kinds. It is a national strategy that, among other things, targets socioeconomic development through several mechanisms to accompany and support the cooperative fabric. During the first years of implementation of the Green Morocco Plan, Law 112-12 governing cooperatives were enacted. Against this backdrop, we present the challenges and prospects of the government's strategy to boost agricultural cooperatives and the impact of Moroccan legislation on the development of this promising sector.