From November 27th to 29th, a joint workshop organized by the International Cooperative Agricultural Organization (ICAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the Cooperative League of Thailand (CLT) took place in Thailand. With the participation of 46 representatives from 11 countries, the workshop delved into the theme “The role of agricultural finance in fostering youth and women farmers and cooperative development.”
Mr. Sangho Park, Senior Programme Specialist of IFAD opened the workshop with the keynote address “Empowering rural farmers through financial inclusion”. Noteworthy presentations included “Financial support for rural women to achieve gender equality” by Dr. Rajvi Joshipurah, Consultant of Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA), and “Empowering youth through agricultural finance” by Mr. Didier Tago, Investment Manager of Injaro Investments. Following the expert presentations, a Q&A session addressed participants' queries and provided diverse solutions to global challenges. Additionally, ICAO members shared best practices through their presentations.
On the following day, workshop attendees explored the practical implications of the theme by visiting two cooperatives. At the Ban Lard Agricultural Cooperative, participants could learn about various successful business models, including the supply of agricultural and construction materials, fuel distribution, rice processing, seed supply, and wholesale market operations. At the Petchaburi Teacher's Saving and Credit Cooperative, the workshop participants gained knowledge about the lending and credit businesses, while immersing in the local culture.
This collaborative workshop not only facilitated meaningful discussions but also underscored the profound impact of agricultural finance on cooperative development, with a specific focus on empowering youth and women farmers. The exchange of best practices and success stories of the visited cooperatives illuminated the potential for sustainable growth within the agricultural sector.
