Cooperatives for a Better World – Annual Event review

As part of the 2025 UN International Year of Cooperatives, this year’s Cecchini Institute Annual Event offered a timely reflection on both the promise and limitations of cooperative models in food, forest and agricultural systems. 

With a keynote presentation, moderated panel discussion and three workshops, our afternoon event “Cooperatives for a Better World: Driving Innovation, Fostering Inclusion and Increasing Impact” focussed on how cooperatives contribute to farmer livelihoods, resilience and sustainability.

Speakers drew on international research, practice and experience to explore what has been successful and how cooperatives of the future could evolve. Plus, when equipped with strong governance, inclusive membership and clear purpose, they believe the cooperative model remains not only relevant but essential.

Keynote: Cooperatives as financial bridges and agents of change

After Institute leader Zenebe Uraguchi welcomed everyone and BFH-HAFL Director Ute Seeling touched on the importance of cooperatives, the keynote address from Lorenzo Casaburi (University of Zurich) laid the foundation for the afternoon’s discussions.

Focusing on case studies from his research in Kenya, Prof. Casaburi showed evidence, replicated worldwide, that agricultural cooperatives improve farmer outcomes. He identified three critical mechanisms: improving access to input and output markets, easing financial constraints and offering technical assistance.

For example, “Dairy farmers sell their milk daily,” said Prof. Casaburi, “but often prefer to be paid at the end of the month and often at a lower unit price. Why? Because they need lump sums of money for cattle feed, school fees and so on. They value these monthly payments and see it as a savings device.” He also explored the underwhelming uptake of crop insurance among farmers, despite high exposure to production risks. Again, the role of cooperatives as intermediaries emerged.

In closing, Prof. Casaburi provided three key takeaways: 1. Cooperatives create value well beyond price; 2. Farmers are diverse, and dynamic; and 3. Cooperatives are financial bridges.

Panel discussion: Rethinking cooperatives’ success

Moderated by Rupa Mukerji (Skat Consulting), the panel discussion featured specialists Smita Premchander (Sampark NGO, India), Robert Erhard (Nestlé and SAI Platform), Philipp Schallberger (Kaffeemacher and Gutsch), and Philippe Schneuwly (Swisscontact), who generously made himself available at short notice.

The discussions tackled both hard truths and emerging hopes. “I want to start by saying cooperatives make sense,” Robert said. “They play a successful roll in structuring supply chains and are a critical partner for quality and other elements.

“But there are cases of cooperatives enriching themselves, instead of the benefits going back to the farmers, when no good governance structure is in place. Governance is critical.”

Smita offered a view from India, home to over 600,000 cooperatives – with the majority in agriculture and very few turning a profit. “Cooperatives have failed,” she said bluntly, “but cooperatives must succeed.”

The gender gap was stark: only 2.5% of cooperative members in India are women, often due to land ownership being a requirement. Yet, Smita argued, women demonstrate remarkable financial discipline and commitment when involved. “They attend meetings, use money wisely, and support each other,” she said.

Philipp highlighted how cooperatives offer more than economics: they foster belonging. In saturated markets dominated by profit-driven enterprises, cooperatives provide “long-term and stable planning, higher prices and a sense of proximity.” He called for flexibility in defining what a cooperative is, urging models that integrate buyers as strategic partners.

Philippe said there is a case to be made for mutual responsibility for a project. “If it’s cheaper to source things from Latin America, that puts smallholder farmers in Africa under pressure,” he said. “There’s a case to be made for mutual ownership of a project. The business model – instead of supporting farmers – tends to move into administering money, and that moves away from their original purpose.”

Audience questions pushed the panel further, particularly on how cooperatives can maintain their mission as they scale. Examples from Latin America, Nepal, and Zurich illustrated the vast range of cooperative evolution, from migrant-led savings groups in Nepal to community-supported agriculture in Switzerland.

The panel closed on a forward-looking note. Robert envisioned a future where cooperatives build direct links between farmers and consumers, Smita emphasised federations to amplify voices, and Philipp advocated for promoting specialty products with compelling stories, calling for cooperatives that are both flexible and future-proof. They all agreed that the cooperatives of today are not the cooperatives of tomorrow.

Three workshops: Innovation, Inclusion and Impact

In-person attendees took part in one of three 90-minute thematic workshops:

• Workshop 1: Navigating change focused on how climate change and technological transformation are reshaping the cooperative landscape. Participants explored innovative models for resilience and adaptation, via a World Café discussion format. The workshop was led by Anja Niedworok (ETH Zurich) and Stefan Gfeller (HAFL), with Dominic Spahr (HAFL MSc student) drawing, freehand, a real-time graphic visualisation of discussions.
• Workshop 2: Rethinking tomorrow zeroed in on youth inclusion, recognising that while younger members bring fresh energy, competing demands – particularly for women aged 18–30 – limit participation. Discussions acknowledged the critical role of fintech and gender-responsive design in credit systems. The workshop was led by Ingrid Fromm and Katharina Ineichen (both HAFL), with Célia Bühler (HAFL) creating a graphic visualisation of discussions.
• Workshop 3: Measuring impacts challenged participants to go beyond financial metrics. Through a 30-minute Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) game followed by reflective discussion, the group unpacked the different needs of individual versus collective interests. The workshop was led by Parinitha Mundra (ETH Zurich) and Jerylee Wilkes-Allemann (HAFL), with Salome Garo (HAFL BSc alumni) visualising the discussions.

Annual Event 2026

In his closing remarks, BFH-HAFL Head of Agriculture Peter Spring underscored the importance of good governance. He called for investment in “good people, the right support and good communication.”

He also announced that next year’s Annual Event will be held on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, as part of a broader collaboration with the International Association on Agricultural Work (IAWA)’s third International Symposium at HAFL from 7–10 July.

The Annual Event theme will focus on the 2026 UN International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and the 2026 UN International Year of the Woman Farmer.