Cooperative as a Business Hub

At Heifer, we help smallholder farmers turn their cooperatives into dynamic business hubs that drive rural development, improve livelihoods, and strengthen food systems. 

Farming can be a difficult and isolating endeavor. Many farmers face limited access to markets, financing, modern tools, or reliable buyers. Cooperatives change that by enabling farmers to pool their resources, make collective decisions, and operate as unified agribusinesses. This collective model increases their bargaining power, improves productivity, and opens access to better markets and services. 

Heifer begins by supporting farmers to form self-help groups, where they receive training in financial literacy, business planning, gender equity, and sustainable farming. These groups often evolve into registered cooperatives that can access formal markets, financing, and government support. 

Across our programs, cooperatives serve as rural enterprise centers offering: 

• Access to Finance: Loans for livestock, farming equipment, and agribusiness ventures 

• Market Linkages: Direct connections to buyers and high-value markets 

• Training & Capacity Building: Skills in farming, cooperative management, digital tools, and proposal writing 

• Climate-Smart Solutions: Adoption of sustainable practices, improved seeds, and technologies 

These hubs also create inclusive opportunities especially for women and youth to actively participate in agriculture, leadership, and decision-making. By promoting shared ownership and long-term sustainability, cooperatives help farming communities grow resilient businesses, improve food security, and build a better future together.