tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37823526.post464669793968754066..comments2024-03-26T09:45:42.475+05:30Comments on Looking at Cartoons, Getting Along: Private Benefits at Public Cost? Sugar Cooperatives in Maharashtra.Aniruddha G. Kulkarnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09246236261997672943noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37823526.post-39889803939254086662008-02-29T12:10:00.000+05:302008-02-29T12:10:00.000+05:30I was in Kolhapur for 4 years during my formative ...I was in Kolhapur for 4 years during my formative years and I can relate to this para pretty well.<BR/><BR/>"Sight of sugarcane getting transported from fields to factories in bullock-carts and trucks brought great excitement to us. Many boys- and few men- chased those vehicles to pull out a long sugarcane stick. It almost always was a very dangerous game. I remember many accidents those acts caused."<BR/><BR/>This post brought back fond memories of my visits to 'gurhals' and the 'kakvi' that we had there in abundant quantities and the awestruck way in which we watch as the workers stirred by sugarcane juice and the way they poured by boiled juice to prepare jaggery.<BR/><BR/>About the cooperatives and fixing of prices, have you read Hayek's paper on <A HREF="http://www.econlib.org/Library/Essays/hykKnw1.html" REL="nofollow">Use of knowledge in society</A><BR/>Assuming you agree with what he has to say, it is quite clear why despite their seeming benevolence, Sugar cooperatives were doomed to failure. Also, Sharad Joshi had a few interesting things to say about the phenomenon of cooperatives. You might want to read articles by him in this regard.Chetanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08860208056406768233noreply@blogger.com