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
develop and adopt a structured support model that will ensure an integrated approach
towards supporting cooperatives. Figure 5-1 below illustrates a high level view of the
proposed support model.
Figure 5-1: Proposed Support Model
Cooperative approaches
SEDA for assistance
Cooperative choses
which form of training
or equipment to receive,
based on plan
Cooperative monitored
as they continue to do
business
Feasibility of
cooperative is assessed
Milestones for
development and
monitoring are defined
with cooperative
Assessment of
cooperative's use of
training/ resources in
line with conditions for
development
Mentor assigned to
cooperative based on
database of approved
providers
Training and
development plan
formulated with
cooperative
If resource use has met conditions,
continue to next item on training
and development plan
If resource use has been poor,
pause relationship until recipient
meets requirements set out
Within the framework of this model, it is necessary that cooperative support be provided on
an individual basis, based on the needs of individual cooperatives. This approach should
include an in depth assessment of the business and its members in order to gain clarity on
their skills, resources and motivations. Based on this information, individualised
development paths should be formulated for each cooperative. A support guidance manual
setting out the best practice development path of a business should be created, based on
which tailored development plans could be compiled for each cooperative. The
establishment of customised individual training and development plans for cooperatives
through this method would improve agency and ensure that the training that cooperatives
receive is in line with their specific needs and capacities. A greater sense of agency by
cooperative members for their business plans and goals creates greater autonomy and will
work towards decreasing the dependency of cooperatives.
As is highlighted in the case study below (refer section 5.1.2), conditionalities placed on
support improve the success rate of interventions. The last three steps in the process
diagram above illustrate how this would function in the recommended support approach.
Cooperatives should be made aware of the expectations from the outset and involved in the
setting of expectations for their business progress. It is then possible to evaluate
cooperatives based on criteria that they have themselves set out. If they do not comply with
the standards set out for assistance, the support should be halted until cooperatives are able
to prove that they are making use of the training and support provided. This will prevent
dependency, as cooperatives have to prove that they are capable of growing on their own
from a base of support, before they are eligible to receive any further assistance.
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