1. Factors that support and encourage cooperation

There are many factors supporting and encouraging farmers cooperation:

Tradition, culture, history (non formal forms of collaboratin in agriculture is part of tradition, culture and history in most countries).
Social and economic environment (formal forms of cooperation have been developed through the development of the markets for agricultural products in urban areas).
Policy supports (fostering of cooperation has a wider social significance, so we cannot leave it to market forces alone).
Legal framework (a functioning and transparent legal environment is a prerequisite for successful cooperation).
Taxation policies (can be strong encouraging or disencouraging factor).
Support structures (no effective policy managment is possible without support structures).
Human resources (need for leadership and recruitment).
Knowledge and skills transfer (lack of knowledge and skills can be limiting factor for successful cooperation).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

Unformal farm cooperations e.g. farm walks, discussion groups, unformal meetings…( see John O’Connell).

Historical circumstances that led to formal cooperation e.g. first Cooprations at the end of 19th century or begining of 20th centuary – depends on the development of agricultural products markets) ( see Arrabawn Co-op).
Interruption of the natural development of cooperation in some countries development of Cooperatives in some countries were interruppted because of historical circumstances – nationalisation e.g Slovenia, Czech Republic (see Summary report part 3 CZ and SI).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

Globalisation, scientific and technical progress. Globalization, scientific and technical progress has contributed to an increasingly competitive environment. The consequences are productivity growth on the one side and the collapse or restructuring of many farms on the other. (see Brassica)

Consumer awareness. Consumers are increasingly aware and demanding. The demand for organic products, local products and higher quality products of a known origin is increasing. (see Bio-Schaukäserei Wiggensbach eG).
Public opinion. The public interest for agriculture and its impact on natural resources and food safety is increasing (see Zadruga Konopko, zadruga za razvoj trajnostne pridelave in predelave industrijske konoplje – Konopko z.o.o., socialno podjetje).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

EU common agricultural policy
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/cap-glance_en
National Rural Development Programmes (RDP) there are different approaches in national RDP to support cooperation.
International trade rules. In the recent period, the barriers to international trade in agricultural products have diminished. The markets are more and more competitive.

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

European legal framework
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-agricultural-policy/cap-glance_en#legalfoundations
National legislation from case studies it is evident that bureaucracy and excessive regulation are an obstacle to cooperation.
Regional specifics from the case studies it is evident that there are some specific forms of cooperation in certain regions e.g Alpine region in Slovenia, sheep pasture regions in Spain.
Legal status and forms there are many different forms of cooperation ; cooperatives, production groups, associations, contract rearing, machinery rings, companies, agrarrian communities.

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

Taxation: taxation policies differ a lot among states and even regions. Taxes concern areas such as; ownership of land and real estate, inheritance, profit,
http://www.oecd.org/tad/agricultural-policies/taxationandsocialsecurityinagriculture.html
Tax optimization (see Reutehof GbR).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

Advisory service. From the case studies, it is clear that the role of the advisory service in strengthening cooperation in certain countries is very important (Ireland) and others less so (see Sligo Leitrim Lamb Producer Group).
Agricultural research organisations direct or indirect involvement in cooperation, (see Network for the generation and exchange of knowledge).
Public agencies, e.g. somewhere local developing agencies have important roles.
State institutions coordinated functioning of the state administration reduces bureaucratic burdens.
Non-governmental organizations(NGOs) there is a lot of incentives available for NGOs for cooperation specially in the field of Social Entrepreneurship.
Civil society. In some fields of cooperation (social farming, farmers associations) , volunteering plays an important role (see Kerry Social Farming).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

Recruiting members, staff and managers human resources are key to success of cooperation. There are successes and failures in the same environment. This points to the importance of the human factor. (see Arrabawn Co-op).
Leadership. Leadership needs managerial skills and knowledge (see Kratzer), (see Nákup z farmy “Purchase from the Farm”).

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Mechanisms (Factors) to Encourage Collaboration / Cooperation.

School system. Agricultural education programs should inform pupils about the possibilities of cooperation/collaboration in farming.
Adult Education system. Adult residents of rural areas should have equal opportunities for
access to education as residents of urban areas.
Education and training provided by advisory services. The advisory service offers education related to agriculture. It is important that farmers have access to other educational contents.
Informal forms of education and training. The transfer of knowledge and experience through informal channels is an important and popular form. It is necessary to enable farmers to have personal contacts with other farmers.
EU projects support e.g the COFARM project can develop new solutions and information form sharing amongst farmers.

You can find more in the COFARM Summary Report chapter - Training and Up-Skilling Requirements.

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