New Generation Co-operatives Foster Development of Value Added Agri-Food Sector
Posted November 22, 2000
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ? November 21, 2000 2000-11-11-OTHER
New Generation Co-operatives Foster Development of
Value Added Agri-Food Sector
The Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, University of Saskatchewan, has
been retained by the Canadian Co-operative Association and Le Conseil
Canadien de la Coop鲡tion to manage a pilot project on new generation
co-operatives (NGCs) in the provinces of Saskatchewan and southwest
Manitoba. The project will determine, implement, and assess methods and
approaches to strengthening the agriculture and agri-food sector through
application of the new generation co-operative model. NGCs are value-added
operations owned and operated by farmers for the purpose of processing and
marketing agricultural products.
The project will identify and address knowledge gaps within the professional
infrastructure required for NGC development. Specifically, it will survey
the legal, accounting, and business-development sectors for their
understanding of the NGC business model, and provide resources and
professional development opportunities to address any gaps that are
identified.
Researchers will be also working closely with a select number of
agricultural producer groups on pilot projects, with the intention of
helping those groups develop value added agri-food ventures using the NGC
model.
The six-month project, with a total contract amount of $105,000, is slated
for completion by 31 March 2001. This project is part of a larger initiative
(see www.coopcca.com/agricoops) designed to help co-operatives adapt to
changes occurring in agriculture. Funding is provided by the Canadian
Adaptation for Rural Development (CARD) Program of the Rural Secretariat,
Department of Agriculture, Government of Canada.
A website devoted to New Generation Co-operatives can be found at:
http://www.coop_studies.usask.ca/NGC/NGC.html
For further information contact:
Roger Herman?Co-ordinator
New Generation Co-operatives Pilot Project
Centre for the Study of Co-operatives
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966?8506
e-mail: Roger.Herman@usask.ca
or
Murray Fulton?Principal Researcher
Professor and Head,
Department of Agricultural Economics
College of Agriculture
University of Saskatchewan
Ph: (306) 966?8507
e-mail:
