As a follow through of Farmers’ organizations (FOs), Agri-agencies, and international development partners working together on agri-cooperatives across Asia, the Post – ACBF Planning Workshop with the theme “ASEAN Farmers Priorities, Strategies, Actions for Strengthening Agricultural Cooperatives in Asia” was held last 1-2 of December 2016 at Sulo Hotel, Quezon City, Philippines.
Around 77 delegates of Agri-agencies, FOs, and International Development partners from Asia and Europe gather together to take stock of current definitions, theory and practices, share and learn from successful experiences of managing agricultural cooperatives at bigger levels, and formulate concrete strategies and operations plan for building and strengthening agricultural cooperatives in the Asian Region at the country- and regional level. Moreover, the planning workshop results will serve as input for the ASEAN Working Group on Agricultural Cooperative (ASWGAC) towards the formulation of ASEAN Roadmap on Agricultural Cooperatives, and identify areas and action points for coop-to-coop and other stakeholders’ collaboration.
Presentations during the Post-ACBF underscored the role of agricultural cooperatives in (a) the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals and (b) in the theory and practice of value chains. Included in the presentations also, were the success stories of managing agricultural cooperatives at bigger levels (national, provincial/district), as well innovative practices of cooperatives.
Group workshops were also held to give space for delegates to update fellow delegates on the status of their respective cooperatives or farmers’ organizations, identify priority/compelling needs of cooperatives/FOs, constraining and enabling conditions based on the lessons given on successful agricultural cooperatives in Asia. During the second group workshop, key areas that require actions came out of the presentations. Prior to the third group workshop, six (6) building blocks were proposed during a presentation that will serve as initial inputs to identify strategic actions. During the third (3Rd) group workshop, participants made country level and sub regional level 5-Year plans.
The Post ACBF Planning workshop ended with some of the participants sharing their initial observations and learnings from the two-day event:
- Cooperatives are as diverse as the Farmers’ organizations
- Rich ideas are abound from the ACBF and Post-ACBF presentations and learnings that were very helpful for FOs in crafting their 5 year plans, and can help in strengthening existing agri-cooperatives;
- Strong cooperation amongst FOs/Agri-coops in Asia is needed given that they are within the agriculture sector;
- While the two-day event (Post – ACBF) presented many challenges, problems, and issues, solutions are available as well. The challenges made compelling reasons for FOs, Agri-agencies, and international development partners to come together.
- Amidst the diversity of delegates (coming from non-AFA organizations, AFA organizations, Agri-agencies, international organizations) at the end of the planning workshop, there were many unities reached. These unities however, should be translated into actions with emphasis on collaboration from the regional to country-level.
- People centered development and social solidarity economy should be at the core of any future endeavors of the participants.
This initiative was made possible through the partnership and support of AsiaDHRRA, AFA, Oxfam, We Effect, CSA, Oxfam, AFOSP – MTCP2, the European Union, IFAD, FFF, and SDC.
