Abstract

Benisiu Thomas and Martha Mweneni Hangula

This paper reviews the principles of cooperatives as outlined by the International Cooperative Alliance. The
evolution of agricultural cooperative thought, theory, and purpose as well as problems associated with
cooperatives are reviewed from the standpoint of how cooperatives can provide benefits to their members.
Globally economists, social theorists, and politicians have drawn considerable attention to the early dynamic
development of cooperatives for their achievement of self-help through group action. Given the new
perspectives on cooperative theory and the scope of changes in how cooperatives operate and are
structured, cooperatives have even greater potential for coordinating self-help actions, but this potential
needs the support of cooperative education services. The development and growth of cooperatives in
Namibia, as in many other countries worldwide, have gone through substantial structural transitions in an
effort to adjust to a rapidly changing economic environment characterised by increasing globalisation,
economic crises, environmental uncertainties and agricultural industrialisation. The main problems and
future of cooperatives, specifically agricultural organisations, are also highlighted in this paper.