How important is co-operation in rural Scotland?
Farmers’ co-ops have played a vital role in Scotland for well over 100 years and are now more important than ever. Their activities include marketing farm and forest produce (responding directly to customers’ needs and to market opportunities in collaborative marketing chains); pooling buying power to negotiate better terms for supplies; providing cross-contracting opportunities and employment through rural services’ rings; establishing new ventures and solutions, often with wider community benefit, such as local food processing and retailing, green energy and waste management. Co-operation is part of government policy in food, agriculture, and rural development and is actively supported by the Scottish Executive.
