Cooperatives

In the early 1970's a business known as the Southern Bee Keeper Cooperative, in San Antonio, began producing honey for the export market. Production of honey was expanded and many more members were registered to this viable project in other villages like San Pedro Columbia, San Miguel, Santa Cruz, and Santa Elena. Honey production began to decline in 1985 because of some type of mismanagement. Very little production is taking place at present.

Another obstacle to honey production is the swarming of the "killer bees" or African bees in Belize. Very little is done about this problem. It has set back honey production.

San Pedro Columbia Rice Grower Cooperative began operation in 1965 and has expanded into mechanized farming. This cooperative worked well for nearly fifteen years but began to decline in 1985. This cooperative does not exist any longer.

Rio Grande Cooperative is the only operating cooperative in the village of San Miguel. Its members produce mechanized rice and their product is sold to the Marketing Board in Belize. This cooperative is operating to date.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Cooperatives should operate subject to a plan which includes by-laws, with proper management to keep up its activities.
2. Leaders need training to properly direct the activities. They must be strong, with the full cooperation of the villagers. Leaders must consult with villages for their ideas, not use village's name without consent of the people.
3. Cooperatives should be organized to share profits and activities among villages, not among a family. The proceeds should benefit the village.
4. Of a cooperative does not succeed the first time, the people should let others form a new group to try again.
5. When funding is received to form a cooperative, or a loan is made, the money must be spent wisely and properly.
6. Members of the group should be willing to work voluntarily sometimes.