Case study of “Meilong model” ecological animal husbandry shareholding cooperatives in Qinghai

• Main Authors: Hubin Yin, Yaqi Gao, Wenyuan Liu, Cairang Dongzhu, Wei Jiang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2019-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology
• Subjects: Meilong model; Joint-stock cooperative; Ecological animal husbandry; Sustainable development
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41257-019-0024-8

Abstract This article examines Meilong animal husbandry cooperatives in the Haixi Prefecture of Qinghai Province, China as a study case, using information gathered through field surveys and questionnaires to explore the systemic structure and operational mechanisms of Meilong Cooperatives, as well as its impacts on pastoral areas and herdsmen. Based on the results, the main contribution of the Meilong Model is providing a new way for pastoral villages to pursue development through joint-stock cooperatives, and thus represents the long-term direction of pastoral area development. This model reforms the traditional cooperative concept that naturally arises among herdsmen; Meilong Share-holding Cooperative guarantees the equal rights of small or poor households to participate in the management of cooperatives on the basis of “one household, one vote”, rather than the principle of “shareholders have the right to manage, vote and speak according to the proportion of shareholding” found in the joint-stock systems of modern enterprises. It localizes the shareholding system theory to be more acceptable and feasible in order to ensure the survival of animal husbandry cooperatives.