Cooperatives and associations have a long and successful history in the United States. Their example can serve as a template for the development of smallholder farmers in other countries since one of the most promising ways for struggling farmers to raise their incomes is to work together in groups to increase their leverage in the market, achieve economies of scale and increase efficiency
CNFA's agricultural development projects promote and offer training in the formation of democratic farmer cooperatives and associations. Through its USAID-funded Farmer-to-Farmer Programs, CNFA has brought hundreds of American farmers and farmer cooperative and association staff and experts to Africa and Eastern Europe to educate farmers about the advantages of group effort.
However, as American farmers frequently remind us, building democratic cooperatives and associations is hard work. Four elements are indispensable:
- A strong sense of shared interest among the members
- A strong sense of mutual trust among the members
- A willingness on the part of members to volunteer time to the work of the cooperative or association
- Individuals with the skills and disposition to act as leaders of the group
CNFA's strategy for cooperative and association development rests on the basic principle of empowerment. Members take responsibility for their own organization.
