Skip to main content
NounStudy
Back to Course Catalog
ARD308Agricultural Sciences2 Unitsintermediate

Principles of Cooperative Practices

This course introduces the principles of cooperative practices, providing essential knowledge for managing and advising cooperative societies. It explores the meaning, structure, types, and history of cooperatives, emphasizing their role in agricultural development and benefits to farmers' welfare. Topics include cooperative values, principles, operation guidelines, books, records, finances, and management. The course equips students with skills to understand cooperative agribusiness ventures and their limitations in Nigeria.

Take a Practice TestGenerate AI Study Notes

Take a practice test or generate AI study notes to help you excel in this course.

150h
Study Time
13
Weeks
12h
Per Week
basic
Math Level
Course Keywords
CooperativesAgricultural DevelopmentCooperative ManagementCooperative PrinciplesAgribusiness

Course Overview

Everything you need to know about this course

Course Difficulty

Intermediate Level
Builds on foundational knowledge
65%
intermediate
➕
Math Level
Basic Math
🔬
Learning Type
Hands-on Practice

Course Topics

Key areas covered in this course

1

Meaning of Cooperatives

2

Structure of Cooperatives

3

History of Cooperatives

4

Types of Cooperative Societies

5

Cooperative Principles and Values

6

Cooperative Finance

7

Cooperative Management

8

Loan Management

9

Cooperative Agribusiness Ventures

Total Topics9 topics

Ready to Start

No specific requirements needed

This course is designed to be accessible to all students. You can start immediately without any prior knowledge or specific preparation.

Assessment Methods

How your progress will be evaluated (3 methods)

assignments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

tutor-marked assessments

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

final examination

Comprehensive evaluation of course material understanding

Written Assessment

Career Opportunities

Explore the career paths this course opens up for you

Cooperative Manager

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agribusiness Consultant

Apply your skills in this growing field

Agricultural Development Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Loan Officer

Apply your skills in this growing field

Financial Analyst

Apply your skills in this growing field

Industry Applications

Real-world sectors where you can apply your knowledge

AgricultureFinanceCommunity DevelopmentRetailMicrofinance

Study Schedule Beta

A structured 13-week journey through the course content

Week
1

Module 1: Evaluation of Cooperatives

4h

Unit 1: Meaning of Cooperatives

2 study hours
  • •Define cooperatives and identify their key elements.
  • •Explain the role of government in cooperative formation and management.
  • •Discuss the reasons why people engage in cooperation.

Unit 2: Structure of Cooperatives

2 study hours
  • •Distinguish between different classes of cooperative societies.
  • •Describe the organizational structure of cooperative societies.
  • •Identify the levels of cooperation or areas covered by cooperatives.
Week
2

Module 1: Evaluation of Cooperatives

5h

Unit 3: History of Cooperatives

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the history of modern cooperatives, focusing on the Rochdale Pioneers.
  • •Describe the development of cooperatives in Nigeria, including early indigenous forms.
  • •Explain the role of the Cooperative Ordinance of 1935.

Unit 4: Types of Cooperative Societies

2 study hours
  • •Explain the various types of cooperative societies.
  • •Identify the common interests of people involved in different cooperative types.
  • •Differentiate between agricultural, consumer, and thrift and credit cooperatives.
Week
3

Module 2: Cooperative as a form of business

3h

Unit 1: Cooperative as a form of Business

3 study hours
  • •State the main objectives of cooperative societies as a form of business organization.
  • •Differentiate various business structures used by cooperatives.
  • •Mention ways cooperatives help in developing business skills of members.
Week
4

Module 2: Cooperative as a form of business

3h

Unit 2: Motive and Survival of Cooperative Societies

3 study hours
  • •State the economic motives for forming a cooperative society.
  • •Mention sociological motives for forming a cooperative society.
  • •Enumerate the factors that can determine the survival or failure of cooperatives.
Week
5

Module 2: Cooperative as a form of business

3h

Unit 3: Advantages and Disadvantages of Cooperatives as compared to other businesses.

3 study hours
  • •Explain the advantages of cooperatives as a form of business compared to other businesses.
  • •List the disadvantages of cooperatives as a form of business.
  • •Discuss the role of democratic management and limited resources.
Week
6

Module 2: Cooperative as a form of business

3h

Unit 4: Benefits and Limitations of Agricultural Cooperatives.

3 study hours
  • •Discuss the benefits of agricultural cooperatives to farmers and rural communities.
  • •State how rural communities can benefit from agricultural cooperatives.
  • •Enumerate the limitations of agricultural cooperatives, such as production control and price fixing.
Week
7

Module 2: Cooperative as a form of business

3h

Unit 5: Cooperative Agribusiness ventures

3 study hours
  • •Compare cooperatives as a business with other forms of business organizations in agriculture.
  • •List and explain failure factors in cooperative agribusiness ventures.
  • •Identify strategies for overcoming problems of cooperative agribusiness enterprises.
Week
8

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 1: Cooperatives and its Values

3 study hours
  • •Name the ethical values believed by cooperative members.
  • •List and explain the cooperative values, including self-help, democracy, equality, equity, and solidarity.
  • •Understand the role of cooperative values as a basis for cooperative principles.
Week
9

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 2: Cooperative Principles and Operation Guidelines

3 study hours
  • •State the principles of cooperatives, including voluntary and open membership.
  • •List the operational guidelines of cooperative practice, such as capital formation and cash trading.
  • •Explain the importance of cooperation among cooperatives.
Week
10

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 3: Cooperative Books and Records

3 study hours
  • •Itemize records necessary for good cooperative meetings, such as membership registers and minutes books.
  • •List and explain various financial records used in cooperatives, including cash books and ledgers.
  • •Mention other useful records, such as investment registers and building and equipment registers.
Week
11

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 4: Loan Management

3 study hours
  • •Identify different types of loans offered by cooperatives.
  • •Explain the procedure for issuing loans in cooperatives.
  • •List loan policies in cooperatives, including character, capacity, and collateral.
  • •Enumerate techniques in loan recovery, such as suasion methods and legal action.
Week
12

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 5: Cooperative Finance

3 study hours
  • •List and explain the various sources of capital available to cooperative societies.
  • •Describe three methods of matching patronage and equity obligations in cooperatives, including revolving fund plans and base capital plans.
  • •Understand the importance of member contributions and retained surpluses.
Week
13

Module 3: Principles and operating techniques essential for successful cooperative activities

3h

Unit 6: Cooperative Financial Statement

3 study hours
  • •Define key financial terms used in cooperative societies, such as gross margins and net savings.
  • •Demonstrate the use of balance sheets and statements of operation.
  • •Outline main financial ratios used to analyze cooperative performance.

This study schedule is in beta and may not be accurate. Please use it as a guide and consult the course outline for the most accurate information.

Course PDF Material

Read the complete course material as provided by NOUN.

Access PDF Material

Study Tips & Exam Preparation

Expert tips to help you succeed in this course

1

Create detailed summaries of each unit, focusing on key definitions and principles.

2

Practice applying cooperative principles to real-world case studies.

3

Review financial statements and ratios, focusing on their interpretation and implications.

4

Develop a strong understanding of loan management techniques and strategies.

5

Focus on understanding the legal and administrative procedures for cooperative governance.

6

Create concept maps linking cooperative values, principles, and management practices.

Related Courses

Other courses in Agricultural Sciences that complement your learning

AEM311

Introduction To Rural Life

2 Units
CRP311

Store Produce Protection

2 Units
AEM301

Introduction To Agricultural Extension And Rural Sociology

2 Units
View All Agricultural Sciences Courses