Before the co-operative disbandment in 1976 co-ops were recognised as rural development promoters and vehicles for rural transformation. However since the co-operative re-establishment in 1982 to the present time that previous identity has been greatly eroded due to operational setbacks, mismanagement, confusion, and misdirection. This book is the result of a study of twenty-four randomly selected primary co-op societies in four regions. Part one introduces the study giving background information on the research problem and question, and outlines the objectives and hypotheses, the research methodology, and the main features of the sample population. Part two deals with co-operative theory and the practice of co-operation. The research findings and accompanying analysis make up the third party and the majority of the study, while the fourth part discusses the studies results paying particular attention to cop-operative potential in rural development and the governments efforts towards the co-op revival. The fifth part concludes with recommendations on emerging policy implications and on the future of co-ops as instruments for poverty alleviation.