ILO-led training builds business capacity of 30 agro-cooperatives in Suriname and leads to discussions with Government on national plan
Programme designed through collaboration with FAO under Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project.
19 December 2023
The ILO Caribbean Office has led an innovative training and coaching programme to create an enabling environment for 30 farming cooperatives across Suriname that will equip them to transition their food production activities into successful businesses.
The tailored programme was developed and delivered through a collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project (SAMAP).
Funded by the European Union (EU), SAMAP is an initiative of the Government of Suriname and is being implemented by the FAO across the country.
Through FAO and ILO support, SAMAP balances agricultural and business development so small-scale farming cooperatives of vegetables, fruits, roots and tubers, as well as non-timber forest products can achieve sustainable pathways to competitive and safe production; market access; value chain development; and export opportunities.
The sessions were designed to adequately prepare farming cooperatives to overcome the barriers they face such as limited partnerships with agro-businesses; scarce supplier networks; low bargaining power of farmers due to lack of scale of production; weak governance and functionality of cooperatives; insufficient skills for productivity and competitiveness; and an inability to meet quality and food safety standards.
“We accessed important information as well as networking opportunities, and our members will be able to increase production and processing,” said Ram Lutchman, Cooperative Sunday Market.
Upon completion of the programme, participating agro-cooperatives now have a deeper understanding, practical experience and stronger linkages to operate and participate in markets as cooperatives; access new markets at home and abroad; expand business and market opportunities to members; achieve sustainable livelihoods; and enhance coordination and collaboration along the value chain.
“We learned how to improve registration, better understand our clients and strengthen how we operate as a cooperative,” said Claudia Maatsen, Chairwoman of the Cooperative Asajaka Weno.
The initiative also led to a discussion among the Ministry of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Regional Development to explore targeted support for cooperatives and to work towards a national plan. While the discussions are initial, they are important to enhance the country’s up and coming cooperative sector.
“The ILO is pleased to collaborate with FAO and national partners on the strengthening of Suriname’s cooperative sector. We aim to develop a national system that supports cooperatives in their day-to-day management using ILO methodologies to improve their skills. The discussions subsequent to the training are also instrumental towards the creation of a national framework to continuously support the evolution of the cooperative sector. This dialogue is important to generate an effective ecosystem,” explained John Bliek, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation.
The tailored programme was developed and delivered through a collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project (SAMAP).
Funded by the European Union (EU), SAMAP is an initiative of the Government of Suriname and is being implemented by the FAO across the country.
Through FAO and ILO support, SAMAP balances agricultural and business development so small-scale farming cooperatives of vegetables, fruits, roots and tubers, as well as non-timber forest products can achieve sustainable pathways to competitive and safe production; market access; value chain development; and export opportunities.
The sessions were designed to adequately prepare farming cooperatives to overcome the barriers they face such as limited partnerships with agro-businesses; scarce supplier networks; low bargaining power of farmers due to lack of scale of production; weak governance and functionality of cooperatives; insufficient skills for productivity and competitiveness; and an inability to meet quality and food safety standards.
“We accessed important information as well as networking opportunities, and our members will be able to increase production and processing,” said Ram Lutchman, Cooperative Sunday Market.
Upon completion of the programme, participating agro-cooperatives now have a deeper understanding, practical experience and stronger linkages to operate and participate in markets as cooperatives; access new markets at home and abroad; expand business and market opportunities to members; achieve sustainable livelihoods; and enhance coordination and collaboration along the value chain.
“We learned how to improve registration, better understand our clients and strengthen how we operate as a cooperative,” said Claudia Maatsen, Chairwoman of the Cooperative Asajaka Weno.
The initiative also led to a discussion among the Ministry of Labour, Employment Opportunity and Youth Affairs, the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries and the Ministry of Regional Development to explore targeted support for cooperatives and to work towards a national plan. While the discussions are initial, they are important to enhance the country’s up and coming cooperative sector.
“The ILO is pleased to collaborate with FAO and national partners on the strengthening of Suriname’s cooperative sector. We aim to develop a national system that supports cooperatives in their day-to-day management using ILO methodologies to improve their skills. The discussions subsequent to the training are also instrumental towards the creation of a national framework to continuously support the evolution of the cooperative sector. This dialogue is important to generate an effective ecosystem,” explained John Bliek, ILO Caribbean Specialist for Sustainable Enterprise Development and Job Creation.