Training and extension in the Co-operative movement : Guide for fieldman and extension workers

The publication of this book, designed to assist the development of co-opera tives, is at the same time a contribution to the world Freedom from Hunger Campaign which was opened in 1960 and is due to culminate in the World Food Congress to be held in 1963.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations believes that the formation of efficient co-operatives would for many countries greatly facilitate the solution of their food problems. Experience has repeatedly shown what a varied and valuable contribution co-operation can make to the development of a community's welfare as a whole, and, above all, in the production and distribution of food.

In order that the lessons of this experience should be known as widely and as rapidly as possible, FAO was given, by its governing body, the task of en couraging the development of co-operatives. The Organization accordingly carries out a systematic program of work directed to this end. The present monograph is part of that program. It has been written for the use of all who wish to spread a knowledge of the possibilities of co-operation.

The author. Mr. Alexander F. Laidlaw, has drawn largely on his experience in India where he was employed as an expert on training and extension in the co-operative movement. His specialist knowledge comes from Canada where he has held important co-operative posts, formerly at Antigonish in Nova Scotia and latterly with the Co-operative Union of Canada in Ottawa.

Mr. Laidlaw has limited his paper to the elementary aspects of co-operation in order to concentrate on methods of teaching. While there is little elabora tion of the details of what co-operation has achieved, some attention is given to the main types of co-operative, especially in their rural setting. The author is chiefly concerned with the task facing anyone who, once he has convinced himself of the efficacy of co-operative principles, undertakes to convey to others enough practical guidance in the technique of co-operation to achieve desirable purposes which can be attained only by the successful co-ordination of individual efforts.

An important part of the book is the appendix reproducing examples of posters. These have been selected because they have been found particularly effective in the field work undertaken by FAO co-operative specialists.

It is believed that this book, issued when the Freedom from Hunger Cam paign is at its height, will interest all who support the aim of increasing food production and securing a fair distribution of the world's food resources.