ABOUT OUR NEWS MAGAZINE

        One of the follow-up document the group have, is the News Magazine published monthly by the information department of the organization. It reveals the activity of the group within the month it covers. We decided to come out with the idea of disseminating information at equal pace to whoever is interested in knowing more about the activities and developments of the group.

        The innovative idea about why the magazine was actually published can be found in page six of the News magazine. The magazine also provides some useful information of what the traders and farmers around us can do to excel in their various fields. From the magazine, we can also learn more on the latest skills and techniques in farming and trading; as they are well defined in the language the reader con easily understand.

Another informative material the group has is its financial report brochure. This explains in detail the financial strength of the group. The money generated, money expended, the profit and loss recorded and the way forward for the group in the area of funding.

        There are still other important write up of the group. Like the book Gofta world group and you, what you would like to know about Gofta, re-enacting the green gold (cassava), the totality of Gofta etc.

All these books are prepared to help every member of Gofta realize the authenticity of the group and for any one having access to such document see the level of flexibility that exist in the conglomerate.

TOGETHERNESS THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS

Success Can Be Attained By The Co-operative Movement

Most people define cooperative as a special type of enterprise. They say it is a type of social enterprise that balances two main goals, which are; Satisfying Its Members’ Needs, and Pursuing Profit and Sustainability.

Another food for thought also maintains that cooperative society is an association of men and women who come together to form a jointly owned, democratically controlled enterprise where generating a profit is p.

But In 1995 International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) definition of co-operative stands accepted by all co- operators today. The definition which is:-

                A co-operative society is an autonomous association of persons who have voluntarily joined together to achieve a common economic and social objective through the formation of a jointly-owned and democratically controlled business organization. Which its Members are expected to make equitable contributions to the capital required and also to accept a fair share of the risks and benefits of the undertakings. Co-operative societies work on the principles of self-help and mutual assistance to provide services for their members in a prudent and effective manner.

Within the structure of the Cooperative movement, people are placed before profit. It is also the duty of the co-operative managers to help their members achieve their shared social, cultural and economic aspirations. Hence it is considered a social enterprise that promotes peace and democracy among its registered members and the general public who had interest in its activities.

It has been established that presently around the world, mostly in the Africa Continent that nearly one in seven people suffers from under nourishment, yet the world has the means to eliminate hunger and fuel sustainable development.   The only authority that can effectively be able to provide much of the extra food needed to feed more than nine billion people by 2050 is the neglected smallholders, who are made up of members of the co-operative farmers group. Therefore, one of the necessary steps every government arm in all nations of the world , including Nigeria need to take to achieving food security is to support and invest in Farmers Cooperative Groups, Producer Organizations and other Rural Institutions.

Numerous success stories ever achieved anywhere in the world have shown that rural institutions like producer organizations and cooperatives contribute to food security by helping small farmers, fisher folk, livestock keepers, forest holders and other producers to access real skilful information’s and latest developmental techniques, which can be regarded as tools and services they needed. Having access to these tools and services will go a long way in helping the farmers increase food production, market their goods and create jobs, for the teeming unemployed.

For instance, in 2007-2008, the price of maize soared by 74 percent and rice prices climbed 166 percent. Many small producers were not in a position to respond by increasing their crop production, productivity and, ultimately, income. The reason is not far fetched; it’s because, most small producers in developing countries face numerous difficulties in the areas mentioned above. This inability to access information’s has led to their often being removed from what happens on national and international markets. For government and other superior authorities to encourage them, the followings must be observed:

1. The genuine co-operative farmers must be identified
2. impostors in the farming business must also be identified
3. The basic needs of the actual farmers must be sorted and met as required
4. Plans of the impostors should be thwarted or other wise, they must be ready to make absolute change
5. Operational Agricultural Banks should be set up and financially empower
6. The banks so set up for this purpose must direct all its functions towards the grass-root Farmers Cooperative Groups
7. The All Co-operative Farmers Association (ACFA) should be legally given the authority to supervise, manage, and guarantee the return of any loan or financial support given to any farmers in all regions in the country.
8.  (ACFA) should be authorised to operate in all the states of the federation in order to meet up with the challenge of eradicating the impostors in the farming business.

Farmers   also   face   difficulties   accessing   high-quality   inputs because most co-operative farmers are left to cater for themselves without a congregating apex body. On this ground, when the selling price for crops may be higher, farmers also have to factor in the variable cost of buying seeds and fertilizer before deciding to expand their production. As access to loans to buy these inputs as discussed earlier has also be prove to be a problem for the farmers. Even   when   all   these   conditions   are   favourable,   many   small scale producers face still other obstacles such as lack of transport to bring their produce to local markets, or the absence of proper infrastructure in rural areas.

Well established cooperatives and other producer organizations like the All Co-operative Farmers Association are able to overcome difficulties such as those described above because they are a representative, Association who have the man power, skills and all it takes to compete with other merchants in the agricultural sector, by offering   their   members a variety of services.  Defending the right of its members and streamlining their activities. The ACFA, also conduct workshops and seminars where its members are expected to be informed. They also address members on where and how to access inputs, and how they can promote their Agric-Business. They also facilitate their participation in decision making-processes. This is expected to strengthen the capacities of the productions of her members. The services which range from access to natural resources, and output markets, technologies and regular training of the members on how to produce enough for the satisfaction of the populace and for export. Therefore, every co-operator must understand that there’s no limit to what he/she can achieve, if he believes in him/herself.

Call our Customer Care on: +234-522-908-21, +234-8035-7787-16

Our secretariat is: 262, Upper Ekewuan Road, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria.

For more information on the activities of this Group, “THE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY WATCHDOG” and to get answers to the following questions, or to acquire the book Code of Best Practices for co-operative managers;