Cooperatives and Producer Companies

This course is about cooperatives also known as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). It discusses what a cooperative is, how it helps small producers, and most important, how to set up sustainable, profitable and vibrant FPOs. It is based on empirical evidence from the field. It also discusses the basic principles of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
No Exam and No Certificate for this Swayam course.

COURSE LAYOUT

Week 1:

• Overview• Defining a Cooperative• Cooperative Principles• What is not a Cooperative?• Cooperatives outside India• Why do we need Cooperatives?
Week 2:

• Introduction to Forming Cooperatives• Role of NGOs• Challenges faced by NGOs• Pool and Sell Model• Quality Assessment• Promoting Agency and the Cooperative
Week 3:

• Initial Operations for Promoting Cooperatives• Financing a Cooperative• Suggestions for a better functioning Cooperative• Mistakes to be avoided for a better functioning Cooperative• Marketing and Organizational Framework for a Cooperative• Pool, Process, Store and Sell Model• The Way Forward