Co-operatives, policy and law in Tanzania with special reference to multi-purpose co-operative societies: the case study of Same district

The study is an attempt to discuss the effects of national policy on the development of Co-operatives and law in Tanzania in a historical perspective. It focuses mainly on the attributes made by the various policies which have affected the nature, structure and organisation of cooperatives in the pre-colonial period, the various periods in the post-independence era which culminated into the multipurpose Co-operative societies under the Villages and Ujamaa Villages. (Registration, Administration and Designation)Act, 1975. Since cooperation is a social phenomena, it cannot be studied outside the society. It is imperative therefore, that co-operatives are studied in their historical perspective. The historical development of co-operatives in Tanzania presents itself in different historical phases. The thesis shall, therefore, examine the various policies from the pre-colonial period, the colonial period and post independence period, particularly the policy of rural development after the Arusha Declaration in 1967. Same District is the case study. The modern co-operatives began in England among the industrial workers and were established in Tanzania just like other colonies after the introduction of cash crops. This is discussed in chapter 1. Chapter 2 discusses the changes brought by the Independent Government and the Party in trying to encourage the formation of co-operatives in all areas of Tanzania. The aim was to direct them from the colonial setup of mere marketing to producer cooperatives particularly after the Arusha Declaration. Chapter 3 presents a comparative analysis of traditional and multi-purpose co-operatives while Chapter 4 discusses multi-purpose cooperatives as a rational choice. Chapter 5 is conclusions. The discussion has shown that the concept of multipurpose co-operatives evolved as a response to the socio-economic development. It was found that the uni-purpose type could not be helpful in bringing development particularly in the rural areas. The thesis concludes that both involvement and participation of the people which is shown in multi-purpose co-operatives goes to the very essence of the policy of Socialism and Self-reliance as aspired by the Party and the Government. This was lacking in the traditional co-operatives.