The #Coops4Dev team in Asia and the Pacific organized a virtual Roundtable Discussion on “Fairtrade with Cooperatives” on January 21, 2021 with the Fairtrade Network of Asia-Pacific Producers (NAPP). The discussion was to facilitate exchange between members of the ICA-AP and Fairtrade NAPP in Myanmar and stimulate collaboration among stakeholders to promote cooperatives and fair trade at multiple levels.
Mr. Mohit Dave, Programme Manager, ICA-AP initiated the discussion by welcoming the participants. He said that cooperatives facilitate collective voice and negotiation power with key players across the supply chain for fair returns to their members and communities. The current situation demands that we join forces to shorten value chains, improve product traceability, and adopt environmental-friendly practices. Collective efforts can foster participation and social dialogue across broader policy domains at the national and regional level. Strengthening cooperation between cooperatives and like-minded people-centered enterprises can create more inclusive and transparent supply chains and result in mutual benefits for both producers and consumers and accelerate a shift towards sustainability across the supply chain.
Mr. Ranjith Kumar, Regional General Manager (South & Central Asia), FT-NAPP, in his remarks, narrated the background of the organisation and its importance, while also discussing the programmes and services offered by FT-NAPP. He said that cooperatives and community-based organisations may often lack access to specific skills, knowledge and financial resources while being embedded in complex local, cultural and market contexts. To fully enable the potential of inclusive and ethical value chains, especially in the Asia-Pacific region, the challenges that cooperatives are facing, need to be understood and addressed through an appropriate enabling environment, including legislation, institutions, capacity building and funding mechanisms. If achieved, cooperation among cooperatives can provide a viable alternative to cooperatives facing high trade costs and limited market access; and enhance partnerships and collaboration across countries in the region. This, in turn, can improve the livelihoods of many men, women and youth running cooperatives and the communities where they are operating.
Mr. Sai Han Myo Aung, General Manager, Green Gold Cooperative shared the experiences of his cooperative with FT-NAPP. It is now empowered with knowledge, skill and entrepreneurship due to the training received on certification and branding, standardization of agricultural practices, and making the product market compatible.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Dave said that the past several months have been challenging for consumer and producer cooperatives, across the Asia-Pacific region. While many continue to battle against various challenges on the ground and at the market front, cooperatives must evolve, move past the challenges, focus on renewed strategies to build their resilience and ensure lasting recovery.
ICA-AP and Fairtrade-NAPP have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore areas to collaborate to empower farmers and workers with entrepreneurial skills and to strengthen their position in the value chain.
