Machiweyi Kunzekweguta

Project Summary: Co-operatives are viewed as a powerful tool that can be used to empower smallholder farmers and improve their ability to manage resources. There is evidence that co-operatives can help smallholder farmers to access inputs, adopt technologies, and market products, however, their contribution to improving food security and their impacts across heterogenous groups is still misunderstood. There are still questions regarding the inclusiveness of co-operatives, particularly, their ability to serve women. This project explores how co-operatives contribute to improving food security among smallholder farmers and to what extent do they present opportunities to women. The project also explores how co-operatives can scale their efforts to serve the dynamic global agricultural market. To promote evidence-based policymaking, the project will quantify the benefits of co-operatives in terms of their effects on food access, availability, stability, and utilization (nutrition). Findings from this study will provide baseline information that will guide interventions aimed at empowering smallholder farmers.

Internal Mentor: Dr. Marc-André Pigeon and Dr. Eric Micheels

External Mentors: Qian Wan, Financial Guarantee Programs Division, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada