Heifer, ICA-AP launch regional campaign to strengthen farmer cooperatives in Asia

ASIA – Farmer cooperatives in Asia are receiving renewed support through a joint campaign launched by Heifer International Asia and the International Cooperative Alliance – Asia and Pacific (ICA-AP).

Titled Seeding Strength: Empowering Farmer Cooperatives, the campaign seeks to amplify the role of cooperatives in improving rural economies and food systems.

The virtual launch drew over 170 participants, including cooperative leaders, development professionals, and farmer representatives.

The campaign is part of Phase 2 of the ICA–EU Partnership and runs alongside the United Nations International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

Neena Joshi, Senior Vice President for Asia Programs at Heifer International, explained the thinking behind the campaign. “When farmers unite through cooperatives, they gain bargaining power, attract investment, and build resilient enterprises that nourish people and the planet,” she said.

The campaign targets cooperatives in four countries – India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Cambodia – where many rural families depend on farming for survival. By building cooperative structures led by farmers themselves, the campaign hopes to reduce poverty and hunger through better access to markets and services.

Balasubramanian Iyer, Regional Director at ICA-AP, said cooperatives bring economic and social value by putting people first. “These institutions are rooted in self-help and solidarity. They embed social purpose into business and are essential to inclusive, sustainable growth,” he said.

A Call for stronger support

Aziz Arya, FAO’s Regional Policy and Program Officer, urged more public and private investment to grow cooperative capacity. “They are key to achieving SDG 1 and 2 – No Poverty and Zero Hunger – but require sustained investment to fully unlock their potential,” he stated.

The campaign runs through September 2025 and will include online forums, webinars, and storytelling efforts to increase awareness of cooperative-led progress. Organizers expect these activities to create more interest among policymakers and donors.

As part of related actions, ICA-AP has launched a new capacity-building toolkit for smallholder cooperatives. It includes resources on financial literacy, governance, and climate-smart farming.

Heifer International has also confirmed funding to support 50 women-led cooperatives in Nepal, aiming to increase their access to livestock, credit, and local markets.

Together, these efforts highlight growing regional interest in supporting farmers through community-based systems. By focusing on long-term cooperation and leadership from within, the Seeding Strength campaign is building momentum toward stronger, more secure rural livelihoods.

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