1. History of co-operation: The co-operative movement can be traced back to about 150 years. Robert Owen started the first ever co-operative movement in the year 1844 with 28 members called Rochdale society of equitable pioneers. It was a consumer's co-operative society.The father of this movement was Robert Owen.
2. In India, the poverty and rural indebtedness were predominant during the 19th century. As a fuel to the fire a great famine occurred in 1901.In order to find a solution to these problems the government brought out a statute known as Co-operative Societies Act 1904.But the scope of this Act was restricted to the credit facility only.A comprehensive Act was brought again in the year 1912 covering the formation management and regulation of the co-operative societies.
3. In 1914 a committee headed by Medagaon was appointed by the government to review the working of co-operatives. On the basis of this recommendation of the committee the governance of co-operatives was transferred from the central to the state governments. At present the state governments are monitoring these institutions under a separate ministry.

The features of co-operative societies are:
Voluntary Membership:
Any person can become the member of the society and can leave it any time.
Equal Rights:
Each member of the society has an equal right to vote and ownership. Each shareholder has one vote.
Democracy:
The principle of democracy is adopted while making the decisions. The decision of the majority is honored.
Honesty:
It is the basic principle of this society. Its members should be honest. Selfish people can not.run the business of cooperative society.
Mutual Confidence:
The foundation of Cooperative society is laid on mutual confidence. Members of the society should trust each other and work like a team.
Welfare Main Objective:
Its main objective is to provide goods and services to its members at lower price.
Cash Payment:
Credit team is prohibited and goods are supplied to its members on cash payment.
Economy:
The member of the society should act upon the principle of economy. They should not misuse capital of the society and always keep in view best interest of the society.
Distribution of Profit:
The profit can be distributed among the members according the cooperative act. One fourth (1/4)of the profit can be kept in reserve. Then (10%) of the profit can be used for providing facilities to the members.
Self Service:
All the business activities are conducted by the members themselves. All are the owner and all are the consumers. So self service rule is employed in the organisation.

Warehouses also provide certain value added services, such as in transit mixing, grading, packaging, and labelling. Sometimes goods are repacked and labelled again at the time of inspection by prospective buyers.

1. Warehouse is a place where goods are stored for future use whereas; warehousing is an arrangement of goods.
2. Warehouse is to hold goods for storing purpose only. Warehousing object is to preserve and protect the goods from deterioration.

It was established in 1959. The available storage capacity of TNWC is 6.83 Lakh MT with 7 Regional offices and 256 Godowns across the state. It is one of the biggest public warehouses operating in the state, offering logistic services to a diverse group of clients.

(i) Co-operative societies have contributed significantly in freeing villagers from money lenders.
(ii) Earlier, money lenders used to charge high rates of interest and the earnings of the villagers were spent on payment on interest alone.
(iii) Co-operatives provide loans at cheaper interest rates and have benefited the rural community.

Industrial cooperatives are formed by industrialists. They can decide to work together to increase marketing possibilities. This helps to protect themselves and solve their problems. Examples : Matchbox factories, chemical industries and crackers industries.

(i) Producer co-operatives are established and operated by producers.
(ii) Producers can decide to work together or as separate entities to help increase marketing possibilities and production efficiency.

Benefit to rural rich:
Co-operatives, have benefited the rural rich and not the rural poor.
Inadequate rural credit:
Co-operative societies give loans only for productive purposes and not for personal or family expenses.
Lack of managerial skills:
Co-operative societies are managed by the managing committee elected by its members. The members of the managing committee may not have the required qualification, skill or experience.