The 22nd Meeting of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Agricultural Cooperatives (ASWGAC) was held in a hybrid mode on 15 – 16 September 2021 by the Cooperative Development Authority (CDA) in the Philippines. The Meeting was attended by delegations from the ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat. There was also representation from the Agriterra, ACEDAC Secretariat and the ASEAN Farmers’ Organizations Support Programme (AFOSP) – represented by ASEAN Foundation and Asian Farmers’ Association (AFA). Mr. Mohit Dave represented the ICA-AP office.

The ASEAN member states discussed the Strategic Plan of Actions for 2021 - 2025 and presented the country papers for the policy & development of agricultural cooperatives. Mr. Dave along with Ms. Gabriela Versteeg, Manager Agri-Advice, Agriterra and Mr. Jun Virola, Business Advisor, Agriterra Philippines made a presentation about Agri-GRADE, an initiative for the modernization of cooperative sector and discussed potential areas of cooperation to support agriculture cooperative development in ASEAN.

After the presentation, CDA Agricultural Cooperatives Cluster Head - Assistant Secretary Virgilio Lazaga shared his remarks that it is important to strengthen the alliances between government agencies, agricultural cooperatives, and the private sector in the ASEAN Region. He thanked Agriterra and ICA-AP for sharing the Agri-GRADE proposal. 

The meeting ended with CDA Undersecretary Joseph Encabo's remarks for the entire delegation and a commitment to a stronger ASEAN integration for the cooperative movement.