Participatory system and cooperative land management. A case study

Some factors limit development in fruit and vegetable cooperatives in Valencia region, affecting marketing and profitability. In the particular case of orange production, these factors are: a) low productivity, b) weak control... [ view full abstract ]

Some factors limit development in fruit and vegetable cooperatives in Valencia region, affecting marketing and profitability. In the particular case of orange production, these factors are: a) low productivity, b) weak control of the production campaign, c) small average area per farmer.

Furthermore, a substantial percentage of members are part-time farmers with a general high age profile. All this has a negative impact on farmers’ motivation and performance. As a direct consequence, the Cooperative sector faces economic difficulties and land abandonment.

Given this scenario, a joint action of the Universitat Politècnica València (technical and systematization support), Cajamar (funding entity) and the Rural Cooperative San Vicente Ferrer de Benaguasil was launched to propose an innovative model for managing land and human resources. To do this, the Cooperative shows its willingness to take over the management of the land released by farmers. Land consolidation will grant the opportunity for new production strategies. This requires, firstly, a clear social, technical, financial and legislative analysis on the current situation of the Cooperative.

The implementation strategy is based on a participatory approach. This includes spaces for interaction, debate and workshops with interested partners. As a social entity the community support to the Cooperative’s action is critical for the project’s success. An initial work assessing the model’s opportunities by small groups of members has been carried out. Agreement in the Cooperative’s assembly is also crucial to achieve a new management system. Furthermore, given the core economic, social and environmental role of the Cooperative in the municipality, the use of a dynamic and participative approach will call other relevant local actors, such as public administration, academia, local organizations and interested individuals.

The Cooperative will take over the production of all agricultural lots that are vulnerable to abandonment. In a further stage, a second group of lots will be selected for stronger requirements in terms of quality, size and varieties. These are the areas that will be subjected to major changes in their production and management system. A progressive implementation of the new the management system for these lots will be planned.

A detailed report on the way of changing the management and production system will be prepared. This report will contain information of good agricultural management practices and serve as a training and roadmap for similar initiatives in other cooperatives.