Study on “Status and Development of Agricultural Cooperatives in the Context of Globalization and WTO”

Project Description

With the aim to support the sectoral objectives and strategies of agriculture and agricultural cooperatives development this project was intended to review the status of agricultural cooperatives, its role in supporting the small farmers in their livelihood and food security in the changed context of globlization and WTO. The project has extensively reviewed the National Cooperative Development Policy of different Nations and the guidelines for formulation of Cooperative Development Policy suggested by ILO and ICA. The National policy of government of Nepal related to the cooperative development, likely impact of Liberalization and WTO on agricultural cooperatives and producer members was also assessed in this study. Based on these review and assessment the study has suggested a policy model for agricultural cooperative development in Nepal in the context of liberalization and WTO. Both primary and secondary information/data were collected and reviewed. Primary level of information were collected through household survey, focus group discussion, interview of key informants, interaction with service providers. The field works were carried out in Jhapa, Morang, Dhading, Ilam, Rasuwa districts.

Assignment Description

The specific objectives of the project was to: • Assess the likely impact of WTO on Nepalese agricultural cooperatives and their producer members. • Find out the present status of services to meet the challenges and opportunities of WTO regime provided by the government of Nepal to agricultural cooperatives and their member farmers, in the context of WTO and liberalization. • Review the status of policies formulated in the context of liberalization and WTO and suggest the policy measures in order to build enabling environment for the agricultural cooperatives. • Suggest the alternative national agriculture cooperative development policy so that Nepalese agricultural cooperatives compete in the world trade. The scope of the study was: • Review the policy recommendations model from different multilateral agencies and national policy and programmes on cooperative sector with emphasis on agricultural cooperatives • Review the national policy formulated to fulfill the need of WTO and economic liberalization in Nepalese context • Review the measures taken by different countries to promote agricultural cooperatives in the context of globalization and WTO agreement focusing on small scale producers and decision in favour of LDCs (Least Developed Countries) like Nepal. • Conduct the field study