Agricultural Cooperative Societies Proclamation No. 85/1994.

A society established under this Proclamation shall have as objectives: (1) to improve the living conditions of its members; (2) to promote self-reliance among members; (3) to solve problems collectively; (4) to obtain modern technologies for its members; (5) to process agricultural products; (6) to promote teaching and training for its members (sect. 3). Provisions of Part II, concerning the formation and registration of societies, distinguish between a Primary Society and a Higher Level Society. A Primary Society shall be established on a voluntary basis by not less than ten peasants living in a given area (sect. 5). A Higher Level Society is a union or federation of Primary Societies (sects. 6-8). The field or area in which a Society may engage shall be determined in its By-laws (sect. 7). Any society shall be registered by the appropriate authority (sect. 9). Provisions of Part III describe the rights and duties of Societies and its members. Other provisions of this Proclamation deal with internal procedures, special privileges of societies, funds and properties as well as the winding up of societies. The Proclamation consists of 48 sections and which are divided into 8 Parts.