MODULE 2a

The following case studies from the COFARM project highlights specific strengths of successful cooperation.

• Efforts by agricultural advisory services to develop and promote the concepts; (see John O’Connell).
• Recognition of the potential of collaborative arrangements; (see Bio-Schaukäserei Wiggensbach eG).
• Improved the quality of life and incomes of those involved; (see CS IR 04).
• Facilitated growth and achievement of scale (see Brassica).
• Improved efficiency and economies of scale (reduction in production costs; marketing; distribution); (see Sociedad Cooperativa Andaluza (S.C.A.) Nuestra Señora de los Remedios).
• Increased productivity for some farms which were in decline; (see John O’Connell).
• More options for new entrants to become established in farming; (see CS IR 04).
• Intergenerational and inter-farmer transfer of knowledge and experience (see Cooperation of two autonomous family farms: parents and their daughter).
• Number of options for collaboration being explored and developed; (see Zadruga Konopko, zadruga za razvoj trajnostne pridelave in predelave industrijske konoplje – Konopko z.o.o., socialno podjetje).
• Social orientation; (see Kerry Social Farming).
• Improvement in market access; (see Nákup z farmy “Purchase from the Farm”).
• Enables collective acquisition of equipment (machinery rings) (see Kögel).