Enabling Agricultural Cooperatives: A paradigm shift for economic and social inclusion

Agricultural cooperatives are key to food security. They are unique enterprises, embodying a business model that has economic as well as social aims. The FAO Director-General has highlighted his strong commitment to the goals and priorities of the International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) and encouraging governments to establish favorable policies, legal frameworks and participatory processes in which agricultural and food cooperatives as well as producer organizations can develop and become strong, gender equitable and efficient enterprises.

This side-event was held during the CFS 39TH session as part of the awareness-raising initiatives linked to the International Year of Cooperatives. In close collaboration with the Committee for the Promotion and Advancement of Cooperatives (COPAC ), FAO is promoting the crucial role of food and agricultural cooperatives in eliminating hunger and poverty.