Social and cultural services and programs Implemented by Cooperatives: A Case study of Rupandehi District

Damodar Pangeni, Asst. Professor, Yagyodaya Dudhnath Tharu Multiple Campus, Shuddhodhan-3, Ramawapur,  Rupandehi

Abstract: This paper aims to assess the status of social and cultural services and program implemented by cooperatives in Rupandehi. Cooperatives are established to provide economic benefit, social benefit and cultural benefit to the members, considering this context this study analyzed what is the situation in the district. The study has collected primary data through questionnaire and used descriptive method to analyses the social and cultural services and programs implemented by cooperatives. The study shows that among them Best Member, Best Saver and Best Debtor appreciation program, Cooperative education, Blood donation, Skill development training and Relief on family member death is mostly implemented services and programs by the cooperatives, more than 86% events are included in cooperatives annual plan and budget and 34.28 % services and programs' beneficiaries are public. Finally, as the objective of cooperatives it is concluded that there are need of increasing social and cultural services and programs to strengthen cooperative movement in the district.

Keywords: Social benefit, Cultural benefit, economic benefit, programs, services

1.      INTRODUCTION

1.1  Background of the study

Cooperatives are democratic, member-run and member-financed enterprises. They have been a model for bringing together people across all spheres of society in common economic and social interests. A cooperative business is owned and controlled by the people who  use  its  services  and  whose  benefits  are  shared  by  the  users  on  the  basis  of  use (USDA, 2002). Cooperative  enterprises  put  social  justice  and  equity  at  the  heart  of  economic  progress. As member-owned, member-run and member-serving businesses, cooperatives empower people to collectively  realize  their  economic  aspirations,  while  strengthening  their  social  and  human capital and developing their communities. Cooperatives play an important role in achieving social stability and social inclusion. With their ownership  structures  and  goals  that  are  different  from  those  of  investor-owned  enterprises, cooperatives encourage diversification and innovation, and enable a fairer distribution of income. Being member-owned and run cooperatives also contribute to keeping the production of goods and services close to the needs of the people that they serve. In this context, cooperatives provide a good platform for promoting collective entrepreneurship among marginalized populations who have difficulties entering the traditional labor market (COPAC, 2014).

The International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in its Statement on the Cooperate Identity, in 1995, defines a cooperative as “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.” It is a business voluntarily owned and controlled by its member patrons and operated for them and by them on a nonprofit or cost basis (UWCC, 2002). It is a business enterprise that aims at complete identity of the component factors of ownership, control and use of service, three distinct features that differentiate cooperatives from other businesses (Laidlaw, 1974).

This paper examines the social and cultural needs and aspirations, mentioned in ICA's definitions, of members fulfilled by the cooperatives of Rupandehi.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

In the recent constitution of Nepal, mentioned about cooperative that "The economic objective of the State shall be to achieve a sustainable economic development, while achieving rapid economic growth, by way of maximum mobilization of the available means and resources through participation and development of public, private and cooperatives, and to develop a socialism oriented independent and prosperous economy while making the national economy independent, self-reliant and progressive in order to build an exploitation free society by abolishing economic inequality through equitable distribution of the gains." (Nepal Law Commission, 2017). Likewise, Ministry of Finance stated that "By mid-March 2019, there are 34,737 cooperatives, 65,12,340 share holders with the share capital equivalent to Rs. 76.34 billion. 5.39 Till mid-March of FY 2018/19, Co-operatives have mobilized the savings of Rs.345.59 billion and credit of Rs.332.71 billion. In the corresponding period of the FY 2017/18, the saving equivalent to Rs. 323 billion had been mobilized and mobilization of credit was equivalent to Rs. 300 billion. It is estimated that in co-operatives sector almost 63,500 direct employments have been generated till mid-March of FY 2018/19." (Ministry of Finance, 2019) Similarly, members are socially and culturally benefited as ICA definitions but in Rupandehi. However, most of the previous research like report of ministry of Finance are focused only on economic contributions of cooperatives towards members and society and not seems any studies for social and cultural benefit. This has put a question mark to ICA definition, norms and Cooperative principle, to the cooperative movement of Rupandehi district for multi-dynamic sector development of the cooperative members. Hence, there is an urgent need to pay attention towards social and cultural goal in order to address the situation seen in cooperatives. In view of the above mentioned problem, the study attempted to examine the following questions:

·Types of social services and programs conducted by cooperatives in Rupandehi district?

·Types of cultural services and programs conducted by cooperatives in Rupandehi district?

·Are these services and programs are included on Annual program and budget?

·All conducted services and programs are provided to public or members?

1.3 Research Objective

The general research objective of this study is to assess the social and cultural services and programs of cooperatives in the district. But the specific objectives of the studies are:

• To find out the types of social services and programs conducted by cooperatives in Rupandehi district.
• To trace out types of cultural services and programs conducted by cooperatives in Rupandehi district.
• To assess either these services and programs are included on annual program and budget or not?
• To identify all conducted services and programs are provided to public or only members.

1.4 Rationale of the Study

This study has an importance through providing adequate information for cooperative leaders, cooperative members, Cooperative workers, Policy makers, development workers and other stakeholders about how to make cooperative socially and culturally beneficial by conducting social and cultural services and programs.

 1.5. Limitation and delimitation of the study

Though there are around 750 cooperative Societies inside the district only 40 cooperatives are selected for the study. There might have different social and cultural services and programs conducted by the cooperatives only one time data have been taken from them. This research is only based on the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)'s defination "An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations. Through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise." (ICA, 2016) and not based on the corporate social responsibility (CSR). This study only concentrated in the types of social and cultural services and programs but not assessed frequency and participation of the members. Economic services and programs related to the saving and credit excluded in this study. 

2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 The concept of Cooperative

The concept of cooperation is not new. It was happened even before the formation of modern cooperatives. However, the modern Cooperative enterprise is born in the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions of the 19th and 20th centuries in Europe. The Rochdale society of equitable pioneers in 1844 was the first successful consumer cooperative business. A group of 28 workers of Rochdale in England formed it as consumer or buyers cooperative. The cooperative had its own business practices and principles, which made the cooperative to be successful. Since 1884, many types of cooperatives have been established worldwide to meet their members common  economic, social and  cultural  needs,  including  agricultural cooperatives, credit  cooperatives, Consumer  cooperatives,  worker  cooperatives, credit  unions, , and  mutual aid  societies have been set up almost everywhere.  In total, about, 250 million people make their livelihood through co-operatives. At least 100 million households receive their health care through health co-operatives. The world's 300 largest co-operatives have annual turnover over USD 2 trillion. (ICA, 2011).

A cooperative (“Coop”) or Cooperative (“Co-op”) is an autonomous association of people who voluntarily cooperate for their mutual social, economic and cultural benefit. Cooperative is non-profit community organization and businesses that are owned and managed by the people who use its services or by the people who work there or by the people who live there (a housing cooperative), hybrids such as worker  cooperatives that are also consumer cooperatives or credit unions, multi-stakeholder cooperatives such as those that brings together civil society and local actors to deliver community needs and second and third tier cooperative whose members are other cooperatives (Wikipedia, 2014).

The distinguishing features of cooperatives are encapsulated in the seven cooperative principles, which include (i) voluntary and open membership, (ii) democratic member control, (iii) member economic participation, (iv) autonomy and independence, (v) education, training and information, (vi) cooperation among cooperatives and (vii) concern for community. Cooperatives function on the basis of the values of self-help, self responsibility, democracy, equality, equity and solidarity. Cooperative Principles, for example, emphasize the centrality of cooperative education, training and information so that they contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives (Chambo, 2009). Cooperatives should provide education and training for their members, elected representatives and employees. The cornerstone of any cooperative is the education and training on cooperative matters of all members (Mdluli, 2003). 

2.2 Concept of Social and Cultural Benefit for the members by the cooperatives

Cooperatives help to democratize and empower many people in developing countries. For example, they instill basic democratic values and foster self-reliance through collective action and shape relationships between institutions and civil society that encourage participation and conflict management. Furthermore, cooperatives instill (i) democratic member control (one member, one vote), (ii) promote participatory management practices and (iii) promote transparency in decision-making and financial accountability and (iv) they en-courage devolution of power and lastly (v) promote collective action and bargaining power among members (The US Overseas Cooperative Development Council, 2007).

Similarly, Osti (2012) has described in his article published in Italy that sustainable agricultural cooperative diversify their activities to include water management, tourism, production of quality regional foods and organic farming. They respond to the crisis of high-tech agriculture and environment regulation in the Netherlands. In Italy, “social cooperatives” provide maintenance of public green spaces, urban waste collection, urban sanitation, installation of solar panels and waste prevention and reuse.

Likewise, Gray and Kraenzle (2002) stated that the majority of agricultural cooperatives were struggling with issues around capital investment to expand or adopt new technologies and governance issues, while issues of member commitment and patronisation may be adding to other problems in the cooperative sector. Cooperatives exist to address the needs of citizens by providing services such as, helping farmers market their products, buying farm.

In addition, Gullander (1951) has explained about the cooperative in Sweden, ”Sweish farmer, like American farmers, have had to learn the hard way that successful co-operation entails responsibilities and obligations as well as privileges. For example, they have learned that the polling type of operation eliminates the risks involved in the speculation, outright purchase of farm products by the cooperative. They have also learn that providing capital and patronage are important obligation of membership in cooperatives. At first, the Swedish farmers did not like these ideas, but apparently they now accept them, perhaps more generally than American farmers do.” He has further written that Swedish farmer appear to have gone much faster than Americans in federating their local cooperatives into country, district and national organizations. For example, in Sweden, local cooperative generally supplies in their local market but in selling of the excess over local needs is delegated to a district or national federation or union of cooperatives. Apparently there has been some objection among local cooperatives to such delegation, but they have thereby been able to gain some significant objectives. Of course, the handling of surpluses would present quote a different problem in the United States. Voluntary cooperation in America during 20‟s proved inadequate to deal with surpluses. As a consequence, American farmers have since enlisted the aid of government in dealing with them.

However, Movsisyan (2013) has summarized that cooperatives are slowly making an impact across rural Armenia. Cooperatives have huge potential to become one of the cornerstones in Armenia‟s agricultural and economic development especially in rural areas where the united force of farmers can change their own lives and overall livelihood of their community. However, in Armenia cooperatives as organizational models are not sustainable yet. Most of the member did benefit from developing their individual farms but the idea of cooperative as an entity is not developed properly yet. This derives risks in a sense that, after donor organizations leave, cooperatives are broken since most members are not motivated to stay with the cooperative. The experience of many registered but not functioning cooperatives in Armenia shows this effect.

On the other hand, Smith (1994) has discussed the comparative advantages of cooperative includes smaller size innovations that are contributed by individual members. For worker cooperatives, observation that the workers make in the course of their daily work, whether make in the course of their daily work, whether in the context of building craft products, working on an assembly line or service work may be more likely to be mentioned, recorded and built upon by the cooperative. In this way, cooperative can introduce improvements and need methods of production and organization with more direct line of communication that their management structure facilities. This is clearly a comparative advantage of cooperatives over conventional firms because monitoring effort and work quality can be costly, producing goods that require high quality or effort can be expensive, conventional firms may have difficulty in monitoring and incentivizing high quality work, cooperatives may therefore have benefits specializing in quality or artistic versions of goods within a broader sector, as their incentive structure is better suited to worker engagement and effort. At least, indirect and anecdotal evidence suggests that this is the case for example in Italy.

Likewise, Bastola (2008) has explained that cooperatives not only generate income to its members but also take overall responsibility of all the members. In Nepal, multipurpose cooperative are in practice which inspires the villagers for modern agriculture system, to grow up seasonal vegetables and professional animal husbandry. It promotes the product in the market and sale them in the reasonable price. Besides this, cooperative is working for social welfare also. It is acting for the development of leadership skills of the women in education, providing health service through health campaign and other skill-oriented training is also arranged for rural women. Thus, cooperative organizations are actively participating for bringing revolutionary change in the life of the rural women.

Similarly, Mistra (2013) in his article examined that past initiatives for the cooperative movement in Nepal have not shown much impact on the overall food self-sufficiency, agricultural commercialization and socio-economic transformation of the nation. A scientific farmer cooperative movement that empowers farmers, commercializes agriculture, enhances food security, transforms socio-economic conditions and contributes to rural development in Nepal is necessary. A renewed and revitalized cooperative movement should be all inclusive, fully managed at the grassroots level and must have strong governmental support in terms of cooperative formation and safeguarding. Appropriate educational, research and extension support programs are essential for a successful cooperative movement. Farmers‟ income and quality of life must be the yardstick of success of the cooperative movement in Nepal.

After analyzing the above literatures, it is found that various social and cultural services and program conducted by the cooperatives for members and community. The economically developed countries like Canada, china, Germany, United States, Norway etc has been running various social and cultural services and program through the cooperatives. Members are socially and culturally benefited as ICA definitions but in Rupandehi, most of the previous research are focused only on economic contributions of cooperatives towards members and society and not seems any studies for social and cultural benefit. This has put a question mark to the cooperative definition, norms and principle, to the cooperative for multi-dynamic sector development of the cooperative members. Hence, there is an urgent need to pay attention towards social and cultural goal in order to address the situation seen in cooperatives.

3. RESEARCH  METHODOLOGY

As the Rupandehi district is province capital city district of province number 5 of Nepal. There are around 750 Cooperatives inside the district and cooperatives are conducting various social and cultural services and programs. As an economically vibrant district this district is selected for the study. This study is concentrated to identify the status of social and cultural services and programs by the cooperatives. Only 40 cooperatives are selected for the research. Convenience sampling method is used for selecting cooperatives. Among them 24 Saving and Credit, 7 Multi-purpose, 5 Agriculture, 3 Social Entrepreneur and 1 Herb Cooperatives are selected for the research. The research is descriptive in nature. The research has used mainly qualitative method of analysis. Primary data are collected through questionnaire from the selected cooperatives of the district. In addition, the secondary data are collected through previous studies, published book, journals, case studies, news, articles, annual reports, document and bylaws of the cooperatives. The data are more based on questionnaire information provided by the selected cooperatives. To collect the required information and data, researcher has conducted a meeting with Board of Director and manager of cooperative as key informants for the research. Secondary sources and existing records were also used for clarification of collected and supplemented data. Collected data have been presented in the table and bar-diagram. After the presentation of data, situation analysis conducted based on to research objectives. In this research data have been compared in social and cultural services and events and service and programs trend analysis of growth also been shown. 

4. DATA ANALYSIS AND PRESENTATION

4.1 Social and Cultural Service and Programs conducted by the cooperatives.

Rupandehi district, there are various social and cultural services and program 

implemented by the cooperatives, mainly they are:

1.  Tree and Fruit plantation                             19. Blood Donation

2. Cooperative Education training                   20.  Skill development training

3. Relief on Member death                                21. Relief on family member death

4. Best member, saver and debtor award       22. Livestock Insurance service

5. Community information center                   23. Support on Illness

6. Member accidental insurance                      24. Quiz competition

7. Village/Town sanitation program               25.Educational material distribution

8. Elder member appreciations program       26. Maternity Support and meet

9. New Bride welcome program                       27. Irrigation means support

10.  Dustbin distribution                                    28. Health Camp

11.  Teenager and Sisters' club formation       29. Teej song competition

12.  Player's appreciations program                 30. Sports program

13.   Livestock health camp                                31. Educational tour

14.  Water distribution program                       32. Bio-gas construction

15.  Drainage construction                                 33. Women empowerment training

16.  Student appreciation program                  34. Training on drug abuse

17. Traffic awareness program                          35. Leadership and MC training

18.  Food distribution to temple, disability shelter and hospital

                                                                          (Sources: Questionnaire 2020)

Table No. 1. Implemented services and program by the cooperatives

S.N.	Program and Services	Implementing cooperatives	Percentage
1.	Tree and Fruit plantation	8	20
2.	Cooperative Education training	33	82.5
3.	Relief on Member death	15	37.5
4.	Best member, saver and debtor award	34	85
5.	Community information center	1	2.5
6.	Member accidental insurance	14	35
7.	Village/Town sanitation program	10	25
8.	Elder member appreciations program	14	35
9.	New Bride welcome program	4	10
10	Dustbin distribution	2	5
11	Teenager and Sisters' club formation	2	5
12	Player's appreciations program	3	7.5
13	Livestock health camp	2	5
14	Water distribution program	1	2.5
15	Drainage construction	1	2.5
16	Student appreciation program	30	75
17	Traffic awareness program	1	2.5
18	Food distribution to temple, disability shelter and hospital	15	37.5
19	Blood Donation	23	57.5
20	Skill development training	20	50
21	Relief on family member death	18	45
22	Livestock Insurance service	2	5
23	Support on Illness	10	25
24	Quiz competition	3	7.5
25	Educational material distribution	10	25
26	Maternity Support and meet	18	45
27	Irrigation means support	2	5
28	Health Camp	13	32.5
29	Teej song competition	2	5
30	Sports program	4	10
31	Educational tour	17	42.5
32	Bio-gas construction	1	2.5
33	Women empowerment training	8	20
34	Training on drug abuse	3	7.5
35	Leadership and MC training	9	22.5

                                                                                                                 (Sources: Questionnaire 2020)

Among above mentioned 35 services and program; Best Member, Saver and Debtor award 85 %,  Cooperative Education 82.5 %, Blood donation program 57.5 %, Skill Development training 50% and Relief on family member death services 45 %  are the top 5 services and program  implemented in the district by the cooperatives respectively.

4.2 Social and Cultural services and programs included in the Annual program and budget

Table No. 2. Social and Cultural services and programs included in the Annual program and budget

S.N.	Program and Services	Implementing cooperatives	Included in the Annual program	Including %
1.	Tree and Fruit plantation	8	6	75.00
2.	Cooperative Education training	33	20	60.61
3.	Relief on Member death	15	15	100.00
4.	Best member, saver and debtor award	34	34	100.00
5.	Community information center	1	1	100.00
6.	Member accidental insurance	14	14	100.00
7.	Village/Town sanitation program	10	6	60.00
8.	Elder member appreciations program	14	13	92.86
9.	New Bride welcome program	4	4	100.00
10.	Dustbin distribution	2	1	50.00
11.	Teenager and Sisters' club formation	2	2	100.00
12.	Player's appreciations program	3	2	66.67
13.	Livestock health camp	2	2	100.00
14.	Water distribution program	1	1	100.00
15.	Drainage construction	1	1	100.00
16.	Student appreciation program	30	27	90.00
17.	Traffic awareness program	1	1	100.00
18.	Food distribution to temple, disability shelter and hospital	15	9	60.00
19.	Blood Donation	23	18	78.26
20.	Skill development training	20	15	75.00
21.	Relief on family member death	18	17	94.44
22.	Livestock Insurance service	2	2	100.00
23.	Support on Illness	10	10	100.00
24.	Quiz competition	3	3	100.00
25.	Educational material distribution	10	8	80.00
26.	Maternity Support and meet	18	18	100.00
27.	Irrigation means support	2	2	100.00
28.	Health Camp	13	11	84.62
29.	Teej song competition	2	1	50.00
30.	Sports program	4	4	100.00
31.	Educational tour	17	16	94.12
32.	Bio-gas construction	1	1	100.00
33.	Women empowerment training	8	7	87.50
34.	Training on drug abuse	3	3	100.00
35.	Leadership and MC training	9	8	88.89

                                                                                                (Sources: Questionnaire 2020)

In Rupandehi 313 Social and cultural services and programs out of 363 events, (86.225% events) are included in the annual program and budget of the program

4.3 Social and Cultural services and programs for the public and only members

Table No. 3. Social and Cultural services and programs for the public and only members

S.N.	Program and Services	Beneficiaries	Participated
1.	Tree and Fruit plantation	Public	Member / Public
2.	Cooperative Education training	Member	Member
3.	Relief on Member death	Member	Member
4.	Best member, saver and debtor award	Member	Member
5.	Community information center	Public	Member / Public
6.	Member accidental insurance	Member	Member
7.	Village/Town sanitation program	Public	Member / Public
8.	Elder member appreciations program	Member	Member
9.	New Bride welcome program	Member	Member
10.	Dustbin distribution	Public	Member / Public
11.	Teenager and Sisters' club formation	Member	Member
12.	Player's appreciations program	Member	Member
13.	Livestock health camp	Public	Member / Public
14.	Water distribution program	Public	Member / Public
15.	Drainage construction	Public	Member / Public
16.	Student appreciation program	Member	Member
17.	Traffic awareness program	Public	Member / Public
18.	Food distribution to temple, disability shelter and hospital	Public	Member / Public
19.	Blood Donation	Public	Member / Public
20.	Skill development training	Member	Member
21.	Relief on family member death	Member	Member
22.	Livestock Insurance service	Member	Member
23.	Support on Illness	Member	Member
24.	Quiz competition	Member	Member
25.	Educational material distribution	Member	Member
26.	Maternity Support and meet	Member	Member
27.	Irrigation means support	Member	Member
28.	Health Camp	Public	Member / Public
29.	Teej song competition	Member	Member
30.	Sports program	Member	Member
31.	Educational tour	Member	Member
32.	Bio-gas construction	Member	Member
33.	Women empowerment training	Public	Member / Public
34.	Training on drug abuse	Member	Member
35.	Leadership and MC training	Member	Member

                                                                                                         (Sources: Questionnaire, 2020)

In Rupandehi 12 Social and Cultural services and programs out of 35 events (34.28%) are implemented to public. In these 12 events not only members but also excluding cooperative members are participated and benefited. 

4.4. Major findings of the Study:

Based on the collected data and information provided by the sample cooperatives following major findings has been drawn:

• In Rupandehi 35 types of social and cultural services and programs implemented by the cooperatives to the member and community.
• Among above mentioned 35 service and program; Best member, Saver and Debtor award 85%, Cooperative Education 82.5%, Blood Donation program 57.5%, Skill Development training 50% and Relief on Family Member Death Services 45% are the top 5 services and programs implemented in the district by the cooperative societies.
• In Rupandehi 313 social and cultural services and programs out of 363 (86.225% events) are included in the annual program and budget in the district by the respective cooperatives.
• In Rupandehi 12 social and cultural services and programs out of 35 (34.28% events) are implemented for public. In these 12 events not only members but also excluding cooperative members are participated and benefited.

5. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Based on the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)'s definition “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise.” (ICA, 2016) it is found that Cooperatives of the Rupandehi are implementing 35 types of social and cultural services and programs. They served thousands of households and members in the district and provide varieties of social and cultural services and programs for member and public benefit. All of these cooperatives have Training and Education fund, Organization Development fund in their bylaws and at the end of every fiscal year they are allocating amount from their profit for these fund. Most of the social and cultural services and programs (86. 225 %) are running through their AGM decisions and in 34.28 % programs they are participating public not only cooperatives members. However, these social and cultural services and programs are not seems sufficient as indicated in ICA's definitions. Likewise, cooperatives are participating public during such social and cultural services and programs as mentioned as 7th Principle of Cooperatives.  

Directions for Future Research

This study attempted to investigate social and cultural services and program implemented by the cooperatives of Rupandehi. However, this study is limited to small size of sample cooperatives, which makes difficult to generalize and make inference to the whole district. Thus, future research may make an in-depth study in this regard by collecting chronological data considering more than 3 years of each cooperatives so as to clearly identify trend of such services and programs. Similarly, future researcher could also consider the embeddedness of other factors like administrative regions like all local governments, frequency of services and programs, number of beneficiaries of the such services and programs as variables.

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