Canadian Co-operative Association

Published purpose

This project is providing rural economic opportunities for small-scale farmers in ten departments of Colombia: Antioquia, Bolivar, Boyaca, Caldas, Cesar, Cundimarca, Huila, Meta, Valle, and Santander. Some project activities include: (i) developing strategic and business plans for farmers’ cooperatives to help them build their businesses; (ii) providing training and technical assistance to build the management and commercial capacity of each cooperative; (iii) developing ment of financing mechanisms for small-scale farmers; (iv) providing financial literacy training; (v) undertaking, three mini-trade missions to Canada to promote Colombian agricultural products; and (vi) coordinating on with the government ministries responsible for rural development. The project aims to create or strengthen seventy agricultural cooperatives will be created or strengthened and initiative results will reach a total of 17,500 small farmers and their immediate families and communities, thereby reaching an estimated 105,000 women, men and children in total. When the broader impact on small farmers and their immediate families and communities is considered, the initiative will reach a total of 105,000 men, women and children.