<i>‘This work presents a most useful source of information that is likely to be of value to both scholars and policymakers, as well as those who are actively involved in constructing farmer organisations.’</i>
- David Skydmore, Food Security,
<i>‘This book is a must read for those interested in the role cooperatives play in fostering local rural development and alleviating rural poverty. Through conceptual pieces, case studies, essays and empirical work, the papers in this volume illustrate the complex challenges facing cooperatives as they attempt to address market failures, remain cost competitive vis-à-vis transnational agribusinesses, adopt good internal governance practices, navigate the political challenges in their local environments and adapt to and influence the institutional environment in which they operate.’ </i>
- Murray Fulton, University of Saskatchewan, Canada,
<i>‘This book is a valuable reference for any practitioner, policy maker, researcher or student interested in the links between farmers’ organisations and rural development. The book is well written and contributes to a better understanding of farmers’ collective actions in developing and emerging economies. It also provides a strong foundation for further studies to bridge the knowledge gap between farmers’ organisations in developed and developing countries.’</i>
- Australian Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics,
The contributors provide an increased understanding of the transformation of traditional community organizations into modern farmer-owned businesses. They cover issues including: the impact on rural development and inclusiveness, the role of social capital, formal versus informal organizations, democratic participation and member relations, and their role in value chains.
Students and scholars will find the book's multidisciplinary approach useful in their research. It will also be of interest to policy-makers seeking to understand the wide diversity of organizational forms and functions. NGOs, donors and governments seeking to support rural developments will benefit from the discussions raised in this book.
Contributors: J. Bijman, K. Blokland, M.L. Cook, J. Duncan, A.Groot Kormelinck, M. Hanisch, J. Hellin, G. Hendrikse, Y. Hu, X. Jia, B. Losch, R. Muradian, G. Muricho, D.J. O'Brien, S. Pascucci, D. Pesche, C. Plaisier, R. Ruben, J. Schuurman, B. Shiferaw, S. Singh, K. Wedig