In all 10 districts of Suriname, the Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project (SAMAP), in partnership with the International Labor Organization (ILO), has launched a comprehensive capacity-building program for more than 30 agricultural cooperatives.
The program aims to improve the organizational, operational, and management skills of the nation’s agricultural cooperatives.
Through this effort, FAO/SAMAP improves collaboration amongst farmers involved in the platforms for the value chains of cassava, forest byproducts, and fruit and vegetable exports. In Paramaribo, the training began on Thursday, and then it was Nickerie and Marowijne’s time. In addition to the aforementioned training, the participating cooperatives will also participate in guidance sessions in October.
Minister Parmanand Sewdien of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (LVV) emphasized in his opening speech the importance of cooperatives for productivity in rural areas and cooperation between stakeholders. He also pointed out the need for further training, coaching and guidance to improve cooperation between producers and processors and increase market access for their products.
The designated staff of the Ministries of LVV, Labour, Employment and Youth Affairs and Regional Development and Sport are also trained so that they can continue to guide these and other cooperatives and so that the SAMAP intervention becomes sustainable.
