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Cooperativism and its role in promoting sustainable food systems in Portuguese speaking countries

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  • Alair Ferreira de Freitas

Abstract

The objective of this article is to describe characteristics of the cooperative sector and highlight the contributions of agricultural cooperatives in promoting sustainable and resilient food systems in Brazil, Guinea‐Bissau, Portugal, and São Tomé and Principe. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with representatives of national organizations linked to cooperativism and leaders of agricultural cooperatives in the four countries. We found great discrepancies between the institutional and regulatory environments of cooperativism in Brazil and Portugal, which have institutionalized national systems of representation, regulation, and support for the sector, and São Tomé and Principe and Guinea‐Bissau, whose environments are fragile and insecure for cooperatives. However, despite the challenges, the cases of cooperatives analyzed show how these organizations are fundamental to their members and their communities, offering technologies, social and cultural support, and technical services to their members and undertaking actions and projects to make agriculture more sustainable and productive. We conclude that the cooperative sector and cooperatives, especially those formed and run by family farmers, have taken on the role of sustainable development agents.

Suggested Citation

  • Alair Ferreira de Freitas, 2024. "Cooperativism and its role in promoting sustainable food systems in Portuguese speaking countries," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 1665-1677, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:3:p:1665-1677
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2735
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    1. Ermanno Tortia & Roberta Troisi, 2021. "The Resilience and Adaptative Strategies of Italian Cooperatives during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Foresight and STI Governance (Foresight-Russia till No. 3/2015), National Research University Higher School of Economics, vol. 15(4), pages 78-88.
    2. Woolcock, Michael & Narayan, Deepa, 2000. "Social Capital: Implications for Development Theory, Research, and Policy," The World Bank Research Observer, World Bank, vol. 15(2), pages 225-249, August.
    3. Alexander Borda‐Rodriguez & Hazel Johnson & Linda Shaw & Sara Vicari, 2016. "What Makes Rural Co‐operatives Resilient in Developing Countries?," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 28(1), pages 89-111, January.
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