Assessment of Cooperatives in the Poultry Industry - 2013.pdf - Seda

Research Report: Addressing the Needs, Opportunities and Challenges of Cooperatives
and Collectively Owned Enterprises in the Poultry and Related Industries
Figure 4-9: Skills Cooperatives Would Like to Attain
Financial management
33%
Technical skills
24%
Project Management
17%
Computer skills
10%
Other
16%
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%
Source: Urban-Econ Survey, 2013
Around 10% of responses indicated a desire to gain more computer skills. This skill may further
enhance a cooperative’s ability to improve their project management, financial and marketing skills.
However, this is closely related to access to computer facilities and the internet. If cooperatives
cannot afford basic equipment for their farms, there are few that would be able to afford computers
and internet connections even if they were trained in these skills. This is a key area of intervention
support agencies should be investigating.
4.1.2.3. Money Management and Banking
In order to start a cooperative, a basic amount of start-up capital is usually
required. In some cases this is used to furnish the cooperative with
equipment, inputs and infrastructure. However, in some cases cooperative
members will each bring a contribution of some kind to the cooperative. In the
survey conducted it was found that 75% of cooperatives required some form
of contribution from its members during the formation of the cooperative. Of
the cooperatives that required contributions from their members, 95%
required a financial contribution with the other 5% having members
contribute equipment to the cooperative.
75% of
cooperatives
keep financial
records for
their business
The previous sub-section illustrated a strong need amongst cooperatives for greater training in
financial management. When questioned on whether or not the business keeps records of its
finances, 75% responded affirmatively. This is a positive indicator around financial management.
However, the level of sophistication of their financial record keeping creates a clearer picture of how
beneficial the financial recording method is likely to be. Additionally, although 75% is a relatively
large proportion, it indicates that one quarter of cooperatives keep no financial records whatsoever.
This is a concern as it should be expected that at a minimum cooperatives should keep records
through some form of book or receipt collection.
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