Since 1980, 77,600 families have joined such cooperatives, and at least 225,000 more are waiting to do so.

Both economic and direct police pressure were used to coerce peasants to join cooperatives, but large numbers opted instead to leave their villages.

In the early 1950s, only one-quarter of peasants had agreed to join cooperatives.

In the 1990s, women began joining cooperatives and exporting their crafts for profit.

They are encouraged to join cooperatives as a means of increasing the efficiency of agriculture.

Federal law already protects a farmer's right to join cooperatives.

Small companies and individuals could join large purchasing cooperatives.

Most small farmers were forced to give up their land and join cooperatives, where they had little incentive to increase or even maintain their yields.

They or their family members could not join cooperatives or craft guilds.

At home, many small farmers are fighting back against the perceived Goliath by joining cooperatives.