Agricultural Cooperatives as Transforming Agents in Rural Development

Abstract

Changes in the agricultural sector over the last 50 years have meant that many of the organizations created to favour agricultural production are no longer of value and need to be modified. In Galicia, Spain, the agricultural cooperative movement is not fully developed, and at the same time is being forced to adapt to new development policies within the European Union. This study reviews the current situation regarding the agricultural cooperative movement in Galicia, and assesses its potential as a transforming agent in rural development. The authors report on a census of existing cooperatives and a questionnaire survey of their characteristics.