1.6 Is resilience only about crisis?

Case-study based research suggests that co-operatives have played a major role in defending members’ bargaining power ‘at a time of high commodity prices where middlemen can enter markets and try to take advantage of individual farmers by buying low and selling high, securing most of the benefits for themselves’ (Fairtrade Foundation, 2009). Similarly, international institutions have acknowledged that co-operatives ‘empower their members economically and socially and create sustainable rural employment through business models that are resilient to economic and environmental shocks’ (FAO, IFAD, WFP, 2011). A number of international organisations concerned with development and other scholars have highlighted the role of co-operatives in supporting small agricultural producers, women (Ferguson and Kepe, 2011; Majurin, 2012) and youth (Smith et al., 2005). Through co-operatives these vulnerable groups have been able to have improved access to markets, natural resources, information, communications, technologies, credit, training and warehouses. Other benefits have included participation in decision-making and more defined property rights. The combined effect of these positive outcomes has significantly contributed to both food security and poverty alleviation, while diversifying production for local, domestic and international markets (FAO, IFAD, WFP, 2011).