A intercooperação em cooperativas da reforma agrária no Estado de SC

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to study intercooperation in agrarian reform cooperatives in the state of Santa Catarina. The studied cooperatives are part of a group formed by seven organizations, being a central cooperative and six singular ones. Cooperatives carry out some intercooperation actions, thus seeking to identify opportunities and the main challenges to intercooperation, particularly regarding the milk and bean production chains and to propose possible ways (recommendations) for their strengthening. The data for the research were collected between 2019 and 2020 through interviews guided by a semi-structured questionnaire, with different questions for the central cooperative and its affiliates. The questionnaire was answered by at least two members of each cooperative, being members of the board of directors, employees or partners with knowledge and experience in the management of the organization. The results highlight opportunities related to the need for the central cooperative to take a leading role in the process of articulation and fostering the intercooperation process, with a focus on diversifying and expanding the portfolio of products produced. Among the challenges, we highlight the economic attractiveness. The study showed that intercooperation is not based on doctrinal aspects (eg principles of cooperativism), but because of the opportunity to gain competitiveness. Finally, the strengthening of intercooperation requires closer approximation of the central cooperative with its affiliates, in order to recognize the main difficulties and improve intervention strategies, in order to contribute to the construction of intercooperation.