Farmers' cooperatives in Southwest China: Beyond the dichotomies of failure/success and (in) authenticity?

Wang, Zoe Ju-Han, He, Jun, and Wilmsen, Brooke (2024) Farmers' cooperatives in Southwest China: Beyond the dichotomies of failure/success and (in) authenticity? Outlook on Agriculture, 53 (1). pp. 72-83.

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Abstract

China has provided strong policy support for Farmers’ Cooperatives (FCs) in a bid to achieve its agricultural ambitions; however, scholars are divided on their contribution. Based upon three in-depth case studies, we interrogate the simple dichotomies used to describe FCs in China – authentic/inauthentic and failed/successful – arguing that FCs can have beneficial implications for smallholder livelihoods regardless of their organisation, operation and viability. Our research finds that local leadership and smallholder-led initiatives are more important than the authenticity and success of local FCs. We therefore call for a more nuanced understanding of the value of FCs and propose that resources should be diverted to other smallholder-led avenues to sustain China's rural development.

Item ID: 81513
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2043-6866
Keywords: agricultural modernisation, Agriculture, coffee, rural development, Yunnan
Copyright Information: CC BY-NC.
Funders: Australian Research Council (ARC)
Projects and Grants: ARC DP180100519
Date Deposited: 04 Jan 2024 00:34
FoR Codes: 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4404 Development studies > 440406 Rural community development @ 60%
44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4407 Policy and administration > 440709 Public policy @ 30%
30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3002 Agriculture, land and farm management > 300299 Agriculture, land and farm management not elsewhere classified @ 10%
SEO Codes: 28 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 2801 Expanding knowledge > 280123 Expanding knowledge in human society @ 100%
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