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In 1951 three Co-operative Societies were registered by the end of 1955 this number had increased to eighty-six. During 1956 thirty-two additional registrations took place, making a total at the end of December of one hundred and eighteen societies.
The societies registered in 1956 comprised one Vegetable Marketing Society, two Fishermen's Thrift & Loan, two Pig- Raising and twenty-seven Co-operative Building Societies. There are at present twelve types of society, the functions and scale of operations of which are briefly described below :
Vegetable Marketing Societies. These seventeen Societies collect and market vegetables grown by members, and handle loans obtained by members from the J. E. Joseph Trust Fund and from the Vegetable Marketing Organization loan Fund. Over 63% of locally produced vegetables were marketed through these and embryo co-operative societies.
Federation of Vegetable Marketing Societies. The Federa- tion was established in March 1953, with the objects of improving liaison between member-Societies and of under- taking a number of activities on their behalf.
Pig-Raising Societies. The first society of this type was registered in March 1952, since when the number has risen to thirty-two. Their aim is to assist members in increasing their production, and in particular to provide credit facilities for the purchase of stock and feed.
Federation of Pig-Raising Societies. The Federation was registered in November 1954, to improve liaison among pig- raising Societies and to assist member-Societies in their con- tacts with Government Departments.
Fishermen Thrift and Loan Societies. The first of these Societies were registered in 1952. They have proved very successful and at the end of 1956 twenty-five Societies were registered. Their main functions are to encourage thrift, and to provide security for and arrange the disbursal of loans granted to members from the Fish Marketing Organization.
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