A model which is integrated into the social economy, based on solidarity with partners and gives more power in the hand of the producer, the co-operative provides an alternative to how companies are run.
“The co-operative places humans before profits,” said French student Cedric Dupas from Saint Felix, Nantes, Pays de la Loire in France, who is here with two other students on an internship with Puducherry-based NGO Intercultural Network for Development and Peace (INDP).
The students, including Hugo Germond from École Supérieure de Commerce de Rennes (ESC) in Rennes, Brittany, and Romain Tournie, also from Saint Felix, addressed those involved in co-operatives in Puducherry at a meeting held at the Pondicherry State Co-operative Union Limited on Friday.
Experiences
They shared the experience of co-operatives in France, and spoke about Biocoop, a co-operative of organic and fair trade produce with specialised stores across France.
Around 40 per cent of agriculture business in France is done through co-operatives, said the trio. The students are studying co-operatives in and around Puducherrry, and looking at how to improve the distribution system in agriculture and reduce the involvement of middle men.
Mr. Dupas said that the co-operative is a sustainable model. It combines social action and profits, and ensures that every actor in the production chain is taken care of, he said.
Long term relationship
It establishes a long term relationship with the producer, he added.
The students went through some of the goals and principles of a co-operative which include sustained employment, distribution of profits, and ownership by employees.
The board of directors at Biocoop consists of the CEO, representatives of producers’ cooperatives, employees and consumers, said Mr. Tournie.
Decision-making
“Employees taking part in decision-making improve productivity,” said Mr. Tournie.
“Having visited many places in and around Puducherry, we noticed many farmers working in isolation. We would like to bring them together through co-operatives. It is important to remember that together, you are more powerful,” said Mr. Dupas.
The students cautioned that India must not make the same economic mistakes as developed countries like France in its growth.
Smaller co-operatives
It is more logical to set up smaller co-operatives, as with increased size the power of each producer or stakeholder decreases, they said.
Muthu Kannu, Managing Director, Pondicherry State Co-operative Union Limited, said that this initiative of students’ exchange would be useful for those in the field here and said other such similar programmes with foreign students can be considered.
The meeting was attended by Augustin Jaykumar and Dominique Didace from INDP, employees of various cooperative societies, staff members of Pondicherry State Co-operative Union Limited, faculty of the B.Ed. Co-operative College of Education and the Pondicherry Institute of Co-operative Management.
