Cooperativa multiactiva "La Merced" Ltd. : informe final

Final report, presented in Spanish only, covers the period 9/1/79-3/31/82 and is based on review of project reports and documentation. The project cooperative, LM, has become viable and self-sufficient in offering many services, and would have the capacity to expand were it to receive national or international funding. Among LM achievments are: a general store that nets $1,000/month; training for LM administrators in credit supervision and budgeting; a farmer extension program that includes meetings, printed information, visits to farms, field days, demonstrations, and sales of produce; and manuals on accounting and loans to small farmers. LM has been reorganized into seven departments. The small farmer loan section, now self sufficient, has systemized loan, follow-up, and repayment activities. Funds available for loans have increased 230% to $b. 9,692,227 or $b. 1,662,226 above target. The number of active loans increased 8% to 544 loans, while overdue payments dropped 70.43% to 7.7%. A total of $b. 18,206,050 (ca. U.S. 750,000) was invested in 1,334 small farmer loans. Members" savings increased 125% to $b. 6,635,518. Membership itself increased 17% since project initiation to 3,777 members. In order to improve LM"s efficiency, it is recommended that: 1) the small farmer loans section should increase its activity 300% in the next year to optimize services of existing personnel and outside agencies; 2) La Merced should incorporate new geographical areas only when economically feasible; 3) the cooperative should reinvest savings into agricultural loans; 4) and support should be given to the cooperative in conducting market studies aimed at benefitting small farmers.