A cooperative (also known as co-operative, co-op, or coop) is “an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically-controlled enterprise“. Cooperatives are democratically controlled by their members, with each member having one vote in electing the board of directors.

The cooperative society is a voluntary association of persons, who join together with the motive of the welfare of the members. They are driven by the need to protect their economic interests in the face of possible exploitation at the hands of middlemen obsessed with the desire to earn greater profits.