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Application
of strategic planning for extension and development of
agricultural production cooperatives in Iran
Mahsa Fatemi1*
and Mehdi Matthew Jafari2
1Department
of Agricultural Extension and Education, College of
Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
2Carlsbad,
California, U. S. A.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
mahsa.fatemi65@gmail.com
.
Accepted 22 July, 2011 |
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There is no doubt that in today’s world establishment of
cooperatives is an effective way of attracting people’s
involvement at macro level. The agricultural sector is so
extensive that achievement of national goals and high levels
of development is practically unattainable without active
participation by farmers. Provision of a combination of
agricultural functional requirements by cooperatives would
lead to enhancement of the standard of living of their
members. Rural production cooperatives, also known as
agricultural cooperatives, are defined as a modern construct
with their own specific organization and management.
Cooperatives incorporate their own ruling principles,
structures, networks, rules, regulations, and bylaws. These
features provide concrete benefits in the process of
agricultural development. This paper aims to review the
activities of rural agricultural production cooperatives in
Iran and propose a strategic planning approach for
development and institutionalization of their operations.
This qualitative research was conducted in Iran using case
study and purposeful sampling method. The proposed
strategies for promotion of production cooperatives include:
provision of support in terms of financial credits,
organizational and management expertise, technical know-how
and technology, equipment and training, empowerment of
members aimed at transforming them into successful farm
managers, promotion of team work among members, and
extraction of appropriate information and practical advice
from research data provided by contemporary investigations.
In conclusion, it is proposed that establishment of
cooperatives alongside other issues should be considered by
policy makers and local leaders and representatives trusted
by farmers be involved in their implementation.
Key words:
Production cooperative, strategic planning, cooperation,
strategy, participation. |
