On the UN International Day of Cooperatives celebrating the theme “Cooperative enterprise empowers women,” the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP) encourages the adoption and strengthening of the cooperative business model as an instrument capable of improving the status and living conditions of women around the world. As women farmers play a key role in ensuring society’s food security, they are indispensable in building the world’s sustainable future. In this context, women farmers are very often barely visible in the agricultural sector, especially in decision-making processes. Agricultural cooperatives are an alternative form of business that can allow for the recognition of women farmers, improve their living conditions and increase access to leadership positions.

First and foremost, cooperatives support male and female farmers in their collective organization. As coops logistically support farmers in gathering and/or processing raw materials collectively, they contribute to adding value to the production and to affording a stronger market share for farmers in the food chain. In developing countries, cooperatives represent an even more advantageous opportunity for women farmers, as they often have less means than men to organize their production collectively.