The Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) is committed to strengthening agricultural cooperatives as key drivers of national food security and sustainable development. In line with the President’s 2023 State of the Nation Address (SONA), which underscored the critical role of cooperatives in ensuring food security, the government has launched initiatives to consolidate farms, promote mechanization, and increase agricultural productivity. To fully leverage these opportunities, there is an urgent need to develop and empower agricultural cooperatives by creating an enabling policy environment and enhancing institutional support systems.
Recognizing this mandate, the CDA has developed a Framework for Developing Agricultural Cooperatives, which serves as a comprehensive guide for implementers and partners in fostering the growth and sustainability of agricultural cooperatives. This handbook provides an overview of the cooperative ecosystem and the role of key stakeholders in strengthening cooperatives as viable economic enterprises that contribute to national food security. It also outlines the necessary programs, strategies, and institutional mechanisms needed to enhance cooperative development and address structural challenges in the agricultural sector.
