landbouwcoöperatie

A landbouwcoöperatie, or agricultural cooperative, is a business owned and controlled by farmers. Its primary purpose is to collectively meet the needs of its members, which typically involve marketing their produce, purchasing supplies, or accessing services. By pooling resources and bargaining power, members can often achieve more favorable terms for selling their crops or livestock, or for acquiring inputs like seeds, fertilizer, and machinery, than they could individually.

Cooperatives can take various forms depending on the specific needs of their members. Some focus on marketing, aggregating products from multiple farmers to sell to larger buyers. Others concentrate on purchasing, allowing members to buy supplies in bulk at reduced prices. Service cooperatives might offer services such as shared equipment, storage facilities, or technical advice. The governance structure usually involves democratic control, with each member typically having one vote regardless of their size or contribution. Profits, if any, are often distributed among members based on their patronage or contributions to the cooperative. Landbouwcoöperaties play a significant role in supporting the economic viability and sustainability of farms by fostering collaboration and shared benefit.