Role of Small Farmers Co-operative in Improving Living Standard of Rural Poor (A Case Study of Small Farmers Co-operative Ltd, Kalleri VDC Dhading)

Abstract

This study entitled"Role of Small Farmers Cooperative in Improving Living Standard of rural poor.A case study of Small Farmers Cooperative Ltd, Kalleri" in Dhading District is based on primary data collection dated December, 2008. This SFCL is a community based rural financial institution registered under the cooperative act, 2048and managed by Small Farmers of the study area. It is principally devoted to uplift the economic and social condition of the Small Farmers of the target area. In case of Kallerithis Cooperative has been continuously providing financial and non financial servicesince 2051 in spite of disturbance from maoist. But effectiveness of the services has not been measured yet, so this study was done to access the role of SFCL in income generating and employment creation in rural area. The main objective of the study was to trace out the Role of SFCL in increasing rural productivity, entrepreneurship, employment generation. The specific objective of this study was to examine the role of SFCL in income generation in rural community,employment opportunities by SFCL intervention in rural area. For this proposed, there searcher had applied both exploratory and descriptive research design. The sources of data were used both primary and secondary and nature of data was both quantitative and qualitative. In this SFCL, the 618 households are involved and having membership. Outof them 35 were selected as sample household from the VDC. The population of Brahmin Chhetri is (46%) which majority of with Khatiwada. The ethnic groups are 40% and occupational cast seems 14%. All the population they used only Nepali language. In case of religion the 9% ethnic groups (shakya) follow the Buddhism and rests of all are Hinduism. The entrepreneurship pattern of members were been changed. The shifting trend from traditional subsistence farming into commercial type has helped to increase the income.This SFCL is providing loan to small farmers for income generating activities like(agronomy, livestock, agribusiness cash cropping and handicrafts) categorizing short and medium term loan. The trend of borrowing loan from informal source is significantly decreased and farmers have escaped from the high rate of interest. The subsistence type of agriculture has changed into commercial type. Off seasonal vegetable among is becoming another source of income, farmers are motivated towards intensive farming.The housing condition of small farmers has improved into tin and slate roofing from thatched roofing. In spite of these activities, the institution is lacking a few things, such as the internal capital of institution. The internal capital should have increased. Counseling the members about cooperative philosophy, providing the project base loan in professional manner and coordination with NGOs and INGO for community development of the society is necessary. In fact Small Farmers Cooperative limited in Nepal is touched with the pro poor and marginal farmers of the state. SFCL is a community based grass root institution and has become the active player in rural economic arena.