Cooperatives essential for farmers to gain access to markets: FAO chief

By CnAgri2012-11-01 19:13:50 Print

ROME, Oct.31 (Xinhua) -- One of the best chances for small-scale food producers to gain competitive access to local and global markets is banding together in cooperatives, the chief of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Wednesday.

"Cooperatives follow core values and principles that are critical to doing business in an equitable manner," Jose Graziano da Silva said in his keynote speech at the World Cooperatives Congress held in Manchester, Britain.

"This is especially relevant in poor rural communities, where joining forces is central to promoting sustainable local development," he added.

The FAO chief said in the case of agriculture, the cooperative business model helps small and medium-scale farmers, fishers and others add value to their production and gain access to markets. Many food producers, through their cooperatives, are even taking part in policy-making discussions that affect their lives.

FAO, the UN food agency, held a series of meetings in October to celebrate World Food Day and to draw attention to cooperatives for small farmers, while the year 2012 is being observed by FAO as the International Year of Cooperatives.

Source：Xinhua News Agency