New model rural cooperatives in Gansu: a case study

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to examine the development of new model farmer cooperatives set up with Aid agency assistance in Shandan County, Gansu Province, China, focusing on enterprise management and training, and the monitoring and evaluation issues and outcomes. Design/methodology/approach -The paper is a case study of two projects that integrated participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) methodology into both field practice and institutional development. The project evaluation data were collected from semi-structured interviews, observation and secondary sources. Findings -The cooperatives increased community income through collectively improving members' production and marketing capabilities. As well as economic benefits, the Shandan cooperatives show improvements in social collaboration that include enhanced inter-and intra-family relationships, community harmony and raised status for women. Research limitations/implications -The cooperatives have only operated since the new co-op law was enacted 1 July 2007. While the findings are preliminary, planned ongoing evaluation for the Shandan co-ops will review the sustainability of the economic and social gains made. Practical implications -The lessons learned from the participatory approach to improve rural cooperative development in Shandan County are relevant to researchers and practitioners, and can be applied by rural communities throughout China. Originality/value -Although the new style cooperatives have the potential to improve the rural economy, leading to poverty reduction and social development, there have been few case studies of the establishment and progress of these enterprises in China's poorer regions.

What's in a name? Unpacking “participatory” environmental monitoring

“…The main views from the external organizations were that PEM projects were effective for environmental conservation (e.g., Robinson et al 2005, Danielsen et al 2007, Saunders and Bromwich 2012. They also perceived that PEM improved the relations between the different natural resources' users (e.g., Van Rijsoort andJinfeng 2005, Giordano et al 2010).…”

Addressing gender disparities through farming organisations in Malawi

“…It has been suggested that FOs thus represent a key vehicle for the reduction of gender inequity, not only giving women the opportunity to negotiate policies and practices but to do so in a way that will be for the benefit of all members, male and female. As has been shown elsewhere, for example, regarding enhanced access to funds through rural banks in Ghana (Akudugu, 2011) or through enterprise cooperatives in China (Saunders and Bromwich, 2012), where women have decision-making powers, their own livelihoods, as well as that of their communities, improve. While the impact of FOs in mobilising agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers is generally well established, their impact on women's engagement and empowerment has been less thoroughly examined.…”

“…The structuring of society according to distinct female and male duties, to the disadvantage of women, is however clearly not unique to the Malawian context. From Dana's exploration of gendered roles in rural Amish groups (Dana, 2007) to Saunders's and Bromwich's (2012) examination of rural cooperatives in Gansu, China, globally, women face cultural norms that inhibit their equal participation in society.…”

“…As has been demonstrated the world over, the principle, structure and practice of cooperative approaches such as FOs lend themselves to encouraging gender equity, as member equality and democratic governance are key tenets. From China's rural cooperatives raising the status of women through improved social cohesion (Saunders and Bromwich, 2012), to improved livelihoods through community enterprise for women in urban Tamil Nadu, India (Sanu et al, 2010), a collective approach not only delivers improved economic outcomes but also increases participation and agency of women. While they may assume a variety of forms, typically, FOs share three major characteristics.…”

The development experiences of two small African and Northern European communities under globalisation

“…To reconcile the potential conflict among these views, in addition to regular entrepreneurship Magopa should perhaps consider business forms of the type of cooperatives. In Gansu, China, Saunders and Bromwich (2012) report the creation of experimental co-operatives with the help of an aid agency. Among the observed benefits were improved income, social co-operation and overall greater community harmony.…”