Problems of Scheduled Caste Co-operative Societies and their Members: A Qualitative Approach

The study was conducted to identify the problems faced by Scheduled Caste co-operative societies and their members in Thrissur district. Participatory Rural Appraisal method was employed to collect information from the respondents. Five SC co-operative societies were identified from the district and ten individuals from each society, consisting of five members and five directors, were selected for the study, thus making a total of 50 respondents. Major problems faced by the societies and their members were identified. The study highlights the issues faced by the SC community and shows the need to ensure that the benefits reach the actual beneficiaries. Necessary steps should be taken to increase member participation in the societies. Recruitment policies may be framed accordingly for efficient human resources. Future studies can be undertaken to evaluate the performance of these societies and examine the factors influencing member participation.