Perception of the value added of the agricultural cooperative in the eyes of specialists and cooperative rural producers

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the perception of aggregation of economic, social and environmental value in agricultural cooperatives from the perspective of specialists and cooperative rural producers. Therefore, an exploratory, qualitative and quantitative study was developed, using the Delphi Method. The findings reveal that, according to the perception of rural producers, the cooperative adds economic value through the fulfillment of signed contracts, the distribution of net leftovers and quality technical assistance. It adds social value by including women agricultural producers in its activities, by holding courses, lectures and training, as well as by promoting the development of the region. Also, rural producers perceive the addition of environmental value through guidelines for the correct disposal of waste, and collecting the packaging of agricultural pesticides. Research results directly contribute to the environment of agricultural cooperativism in order to guide practices that add social and environmental value.