Tulundusühistud

Tulundusühistud, often translated as producer cooperatives or associations, are business entities formed by individuals who produce a common good or service. These cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members, who are typically the producers themselves. The primary purpose of a tulundusühistu is to advance the economic interests of its members through collective action. This can involve various activities such as joint marketing of products, bulk purchasing of supplies, sharing of resources and equipment, processing of goods, and providing services that individual members might not be able to afford or access on their own.

The organizational structure of a tulundusühistu is based on democratic principles, with members usually having one vote regardless of their level of contribution or shareholding. This ensures that all members have an equal say in the cooperative's decision-making processes. Profits generated by the cooperative are typically distributed among the members in proportion to their participation or patronage, or reinvested back into the cooperative to improve its operations and services. Tulundusühistud play a significant role in various sectors of the economy, particularly in agriculture, where they help farmers achieve better market access and economic stability. They embody the principle of cooperation, where collective strength leads to mutual benefit and improved livelihoods for their members.