More than a billion of the world’s poorest people rely on forests and trees on farms to provide food, energy and cash income. By forming producer groups and cooperatives, forest farmers can take collective action and enjoy economies of scale.

Agricultural cooperatives (AC) have proved to be an effective mechanism for engaging young people in agriculture while increasing youth employment opportunities through on-farm and off-/non-farm activities. As highlighted by the 2011 International Day of Cooperatives with its theme of “Youth, future of cooperative enterprise”, equitable and efficient ACs can play an important role in helping young farmers overcome specific challenges to engage in agriculture.

Gender inequality in food production has costs for developing countries in both economic and social terms and at the household, community and national levels. Cooperatives can play important roles in overcoming the barriers faced by women and in supporting small agricultural producers. Evidence shows that efficient cooperatives have...

Smallholders face constraints to ensure efficient delivery of produce to buyers because of their small-sized operations and their vulnerability when faced with environmental and market fluctuations. Various forms of producer organizations at the federation and district levels can develop different mechanisms and tools for reducing losses early in the supply chain.

The sustained increase in consumer demand and spending means that today’s markets offer better opportunities for farmers, including small farmers. Producer organizations (POs) offer smallholders a space for collectively responding to these increasing demands.