The content bellow is available only in French.

publié dans Ressources le 12 avril 2006

Cooperative movement in Thailand – Report of study tour (29 November – 3 December 2004) – Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (Cambodia), Ministry of Foreign Affairs (France), 2005. – 66 p.

Asie

The Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture is promoting agricultural cooperatives since the publication of the Royal Decree on Agricultural Cooperatives in 2001. This study mission on Thai Cooperative system, supported by French Cooperation Agricultural Policy Project aimed at getting some guidelines to strengthen Cambodian national policies. The report gives findings on Thai cooperative system and recommendations for Cambodia in four topics. First we analyze the general cooperative definitions (history of development, functioning) and legislation. These provisions are illustrated with the example of an agricultural cooperative in Anthon Province. Recommendations for Cambodia focus on clarifying some technical issues (possibly in future revisions of legislation) and on promoting the establishment of a national strategy for cooperative development. The second part of the report focuses on relationships between government and cooperative movement. Thai government is much involved in supporting cooperatives through Cooperative Promotion and Cooperative Auditing Departments. The report describes the relationships between cooperatives and these government agencies. Non government institutions like the Cooperative League of Thailand and the Credit Union League of Thailand also play important roles. Connections between all these institutions are also described. Recommendations raise four points : develop training centers, strengthen the internal auditing system, clarify the structure of government by creating a specific Department devoted to Agricultural Cooperatives and promote the cooperation between all stakeholders and particularly between government and NGOs. The third part describes the financial system in Thailand where cooperatives have several possibilities to get resources to develop their activities. The report also explains the functioning of saving and credit activities in cooperatives. The mission recommends to explore the possibilities for cooperatives to access to loans with low interest rates. The last part analyses the position of Thai cooperatives in the agribusiness system. Relationships with the private sector are analyzed through one example of a rice mill. Thai government has also developed several policies to support marketing.

Stay informed⸱e!

Subscribe to our publications and newsletters to receive them directly in your mailbox.

  • This field is used for validation purposes only and should remain unchanged.

Other articles that might interest you